Rugby Union’s brand-spanking-new international competition, the Rugby Nations Championship, continues this weekend.
RUGBY NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP TIPS
- France +9 (10/11)
- Italy +13 (10/11)
- New Zealand -32 (10/11)
- England -34 (10/11)
- Ireland -26 (10/11)
- Scotland -7 (10/11)
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France v South Africa, Friday, 20:10, ITV1, Virgin Media One
This is arguably the biggest fixture of the November international window so far. France are looking to protect their position at the top of the Northern Hemisphere standings, while the unbeaten Springboks are aiming to maintain their dominance in the south.
France’s recent 54-17 victory over Fiji was an impressive response ahead of this encounter. South Africa arrive after a commanding 66-7 victory over Italy
France
France will want to play at pace, move the ball quickly and get their dangerous outside backs involved.
However, injuries are a significant concern. Romain Ntamack suffered a shoulder injury against Fiji, while Matthieu Jalibert and Thomas Ramos have also been unavailable.
Their biggest strengths:
- Speed and attacking ambition.
- Ability to create opportunities from broken play.
- Home advantage and an intimidating atmosphere.
- Excellent attacking support around the breakdown.
South Africa
Rassie Erasmus has opted for continuity rather than wholesale rotation.
Their major strengths:
- A formidable scrum and maul.
- Physical dominance at the breakdown.
- Exceptional forward depth.
- Strong tactical kicking.
- A powerful bench capable of changing the game.
Perhaps more significantly, South Africa have won their last five matches against France in Paris. France’s last victory over the Springboks in the French capital came in 2005.
Prediction: I think France will want to put on a big performance in front of their home fans. They showed what they can do against Fiji last weekend, and that will boost their confidence ahead of such a big clash.
Best Bet: France +9 (10/11)
Italy v Argentina, Saturday, 11:40, ITV1, Virgin Media One
This is a fascinating November Test between two sides with plenty to prove. Italy are becoming increasingly competitive against the world’s leading teams, while Argentina have developed into one of the most dangerous and unpredictable sides in international rugby.
Both sides come into this fixture needing a response. Italy were completely overwhelmed by South Africa in Turin. Argentina also suffered a heavy defeat against Ireland in Dublin. Neither team will be particularly happy with its recent performances.
Italy
Coach Gonzalo Quesada has a difficult job rebuilding confidence after the 66-7 defeat.
Italy’s biggest problems:
- Their scrum struggled against South Africa.
- Defensive organisation was exposed.
- They conceded too many metres through the middle.
- Their attacking game lacked consistency.
There are also significant injury problems. Italy are without several important players, including Michele Lamaro, Tommaso Menoncello, Juan Ignacio Brex, Sebastian Negri and Louis Lynagh.
Argentina
Argentina have the quality to cause Italy serious problems. Coach Felipe Contepomi has a side capable of playing powerful forward rugby while also possessing excellent attacking ability.
Their strengths:
- Physical ball carriers.
- Strong breakdown work.
- Dangerous outside backs.
- Ability to score tries from turnover possession.
- Experience in high-pressure Test matches.
Prediction: Italy, while ravaged by injuries, will be hoping to bounce back from a mauling against South Africa on Saturday and play an Argentina side that lacked ambition against Ireland and were duly picked off. The Italians will stay competitive in this game for a long time and could cause a shock, but the handicap looks like the value play.
Best Bet: Italy +13 (10/11)
Wales v New Zealand, Saturday, 14:10, ITV1, Virgin Media One
Wales face one of their biggest challenges of the autumn as the All Blacks arrive in Cardiff following an impressive 43–21 victory over Scotland.
Wales go into the game with renewed confidence after beating Japan 28–21 last weekend, but Steve Tandy’s side will need a significant improvement to challenge New Zealand.
The Historical Challenge ;
The statistic hanging over Wales is enormous.
- Last Wales victory over New Zealand: 1953.
- New Zealand have won the last 34 meetings.
- The All Blacks have scored more than 50 points on each of their previous three trips to Cardiff.
Wales will be desperate to end that sequence in front of their home supporters.
Wales
Key talking points:
- Taine Basham returns to the starting XV for his first Wales appearance since 2024.
- Jac Morgan will be crucial at the breakdown.
- Louis Rees-Zammit offers genuine attacking pace.
- Josh Adams is rested after scoring twice against Japan.
- Aaron Wainwright misses out with a calf injury.
New Zealand
Their strengths remain familiar:
- Powerful ball carriers.
- Excellent breakdown work.
- Rapid attacking transitions.
- Clinical finishing when opponents make defensive mistakes.
Prediction: Wales will look to start fast and try to assert some dominance, but New Zealand should have far too much pace and power and when Wales tire in the second half, New Zealand will keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Best Bet: New Zealand -32 (10/11)
England v Japan, Saturday, 16:40, ITV1, Virgin Media One
England welcome Japan to Twickenham, looking to build on an impressive 45–22 victory over Australia.
Steve Borthwick’s side have made a statement with their attacking rugby, but this fixture presents a different challenge: the tactical intelligence of former England coach Eddie Jones.
England have made 10 changes to their starting XV, with Henry Pollock rewarded for his spectacular performance against Australia by getting the number eight shirt.
England
Three players to watch:
- Henry Pollock: Two tries against Australia and now an opportunity to demonstrate what he can do in his preferred back-row position.
- George Ford: His tactical kicking and ability to control territory will be important.
- Max Ojomoh: A chance to establish himself in England’s midfield with Seb Atkinson injured.
Japan
Japan’s confirmed changes include:
- Riku Tokito making his international debut on the wing.
- Naoto Saito and Warner Dearns sharing the captaincy.
- A starting XV featuring Kazuma Ueda, Dylan Riley and Ben Gunter.
Recent Head-to-Head Form:
England have won all six previous capped meetings between the countries.
Their last encounter at Twickenham finished: England 59-14 Japan
Prediction: England should dominate this game from start to finish and have too much for a Japan side who matched Wales for 65 minutes last weekend.
Best Bet: England – 34 (10/11)
Ireland v Fiji, Saturday, 20:10, ITV1, Virgin Media One
Ireland welcome Fiji to Dublin for what promises to be a fascinating encounter between two contrasting rugby styles.
Andy Farrell’s side come into the match after an impressive 42–12 victory over Argentina, while Fiji suffered a heavy 54–17 defeat against France.
The interesting subplot is that Ireland face South Africa the following weekend. Farrell will want another strong performance without losing sight of that enormous challenge.
Ireland
Three Players To Watch
- Mack Hansen: Starting at full-back, he offers creativity, excellent handling and an ability to create something from nothing.
- Sam Prendergast: Another important opportunity to demonstrate his ability to control a Test match.
- Nick Timoney: Gets the number eight shirt in the absence of Sean Jansen, Jack Conan and Caelan Doris.
Fiji
Fiji are always a dangerous opponent because of their individual athleticism and unpredictable attacking play.
Fiji’s 54–17 defeat against France highlighted the problems they can experience when opponents dominate the collisions and force errors.
They cannot afford to give Ireland the same opportunities.
Head-to-Head Form
Ireland have won all six previous full international Tests against Fiji.
The 2017 meeting was particularly close, with Ireland winning by just three points.
Their most recent meeting in November 2024 saw Ireland score eight tries in a convincing victory.
Prediction: Ireland make changes ahead of a massive clash with the Springboks next week, and coach Andy Farrell will be hoping players make it through this game without injury. Fiji can give away a few too many penalties, and that will put Ireland in positions to dominate and should run away with the game in the second half.
Best Bet: Ireland – 26 (10/11)
Scotland v Australia, Sunday, 15:10, ITV1, Virgin Media One
Scotland welcome Australia to Murrayfield in a fascinating encounter between two sides desperate to bounce back from disappointing defeats.
Both teams have plenty to prove, and this could be one of the most entertaining matches of the weekend.
Scotland
Sione Tuipulotu continues as captain, with Gregor Townsend expected to consider some rotation following the New Zealand defeat.
Scotland have plenty of attacking quality available:
- Finn Russell: The creative heartbeat of the team. His ability to manipulate defensive lines will be crucial.
- Sione Tuipulotu: A powerful midfield presence and important attacking organiser.
- Duhan van der Merwe: One of Scotland’s biggest attacking threats, particularly when given space.
- Darcy Graham: His pace and footwork can cause serious problems for Australia’s outside backs.
- Rory Darge: Important at the breakdown and defensively.
Australia
Les Kiss faces some important selection decisions following the England defeat.
Australia have suffered an injury blow with centre Isaac Henry ruled out of the remaining November internationals after suffering a hamstring injury at Twickenham.
There is better news elsewhere:
- Carter Gordon: Expected to be available again following a broken leg.
- Tom Hooper: Could return after recovering from a shoulder injury.
- Brandon Paenga-Amosa: Also in contention following a knee issue.
- Len Ikitau: An important figure in Australia’s midfield and defensive organisation.
Head-to-Head Form
Scotland have enjoyed some memorable victories over Australia in recent years.
Their last meeting at Murrayfield was in November 2024: Scotland 27-13 Australia
Recent results between the sides have generally been competitive, with Scotland capable of troubling Australia when they establish their attacking rhythm.
Prediction: A game that should be attacking from start to finish, with both sides looking for a valuable victory. The home crowd will help Scotland, and that should push them to the front in the dying stages.
Best Bet: Scotland -7 (10/11)
RUGBY NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP TIPS
- France +9 (10/11)
- Italy +13 (10/11)
- New Zealand -32 (10/11)
- England -34 (10/11)
- Ireland -26 (10/11)
- Scotland -7 (10/11)
