The Wallabies take on Scotland early Monday morning (AEDT) as they bid to extend their winning run in the United Kingdom to three and take a step closer to the Grand Slam.
Coach Joe Schmidt will name the Wallabies team at 3am Saturday AEDT.
The weekend starts with an early Saturday morning clash between France and Argentina and concludes with Eddie Jones’ return to face England as coach of Japan.
All games are live on Stan Sport. Kick-off times listed below are all AEDT.
France vs Argentina, Stade de France, Paris, Saturday Nov 23, 7.10am
France (15-1): Leo Barre, Gabin Villiere, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Thomas Ramos, Antoine Dupont (capt), Charles Ollivon, Paul Boudehent, Francois Cros, Emmanuel Meafou, Thibaud Flament, Uini Atonio, Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Reda Wardi, Georges-Henri Colombe, Alexandre Roumat, Mickel Guillard, Marko Gazzotti, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton.
Argentina (15-1): Juan Cruz Mallia, Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Matias Moroni, Bautista Delguy, Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Garcia, Joaquin Oviedo, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Pablo Matera, Pedro Rubiolo, Guido Petti, Joel Sclavi, Julian Montoya (capt), Thomas Gallo.
Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Ignacio Calles, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Franco Molina, Marcos Kremer, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Santiago Carreras, Mateo Carreras.
Talking points:
France coach Fabien Galthie has made four changes for their match against Argentina, with Gregory Alldrift one of the players dropped from the team that beat the All Blacks.
No.8 Alldritt, who captained the side at the Six Nations earlier this year in the absence of skipper Antoine Dupont, has been replaced by RC Toulon’s Charles Ollivon for Friday’s game at Stade France.
“He (Alldritt) was part of both wins against Japan and New Zealand. He is a captain, he is a leader, an exemplary player and will always be,” Galthie said.
“These are choices that are shared internally. There’s no controversy around that. There’s no controversy about (Matthieu) Jalibert either. He needed to recover and we’re talking to him.”
Leo Barre, Francois Cros and Uini Atonio have also been named in the starting line-up while the uncapped Marko Gazzotti has earned his first call-up as the 20-year-old makes the bench.
Barre started the win over Japan but was not in the 23-man squad for the 30-29 win over the All Blacks.
However, there was no place for Romain Buros who has not fully recovered from a thigh injury.
“He was honest with us when he said, ‘I’m not sure I’ll be 100 per cent’. As we can keep only five extra players, we couldn’t wait, we had to make a decision and it was Romain who took it,” Galthie added.
“I’d like to pay tribute to Romain’s courage, honesty and frankness in making this decision.”
Argentina thrashed Italy while they narrowly lost to Ireland, and Galthie said the Pumas were having a great season.
“They’re not afraid, they’re made up of great players who travel to Italy, France and England. They are constantly adapting to the world rugby eco-system,” he said.
“It’s very intelligent rugby … It’s a very difficult team to play against, one of the best nations in the world.”
Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi made one change to his starting line-up with Gonzalo Garcia coming in at scrumhalf to replace Gonzalo Bertranou.
Bertranou drops out of the matchday 23, with Lautaro Bazan Velez on the substitute bench as back-up scrumhalf.
Left wing Mateo Carreras and flanker Marcos Kremer, who both returned to the squad on Monday, were also named among the replacements.
Kremer hobbled off in the second half of Argentina’s 29-28 home victory over South Africa in September and has missed the last three internationals with a knee injury.
The 24-year-old Carreras sat out the comprehensive 50-18 win over Italy in Udine on November 9 and last Friday’s Test in Dublin because he stayed at home for the birth of his first child.
Prediction: Argentina were unlucky not to snatch a win against Ireland but France look a step up on this season’s performances, including the defeat of the All Blacks. The hosts by seven.
Ireland vs Fiji, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Sunday Nov 24, 2.10am
Ireland (15-1): Jamie Osborne, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale, Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Caelan Doris (capt), Josh van der Flier, Cormac Izuchukwu, Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Gus McCarthy, Andrew Porter.
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson, Cian Prendergast, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley, Stuart McCloskey.
Fiji (15-1): Vuate Karawalevu; Jiuta Wainiqolo, Waisea Nayacalevu (co-capt), Josua Tuisova, Ponepati Loganimasi; Caleb Muntz, Frank Lomani; Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere (co-capt), Luke Tagi; Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua; Meli Derenalagi, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata.
Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Haereiti Hetet, Samu Tawake, Setareki Turagacoke, Albert Tuisue, Peni Matawalu, Vilimoni Botitu, Sireli Maqala.
Talking points:
Ireland will debut two forwards and start Sam Prendergast at flyhalf against Fiji.
Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy and Ulster flanker Cormac Izuchukwu will make their Test debuts among nine changes, two of them positional, after Ireland squeezed past Argentina 22-19 last Friday.
McCarthy captained Ireland to an U20 Six Nations Grand Slam last year. Izuchukwu became an Ulster regular last season and has been with the Ireland squad since the July tour of South Africa.
Prendergast debuted in the Argentina win with 19 minutes to go, and will start this time, in place of a rested Jack Crowley. Scrumhalf Craig Casey, who played the last seven minutes, will also start, with Jamison Gibson-Park dropping out.
Bundee Aki has come back into the midfield for Garry Ringrose, and fullback Jamie Osborne has replaced Hugo Keenan to get his first start at home in his fifth Test. Left wing James Lowe has also been rested and Jacob Stockdale given a run for the first time since August 2023.
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
A much-changed bench includes Tom O’Toole, the tighthead prop who was concussed only two minutes into a replacement appearance against New Zealand two weeks ago, and Connacht back-rower Cian Prendergast and Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey, who last played for Ireland in Rugby World Cup warmups 15 months ago.
Tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong failed for another week to recover fully recover from a month-old hamstring injury.
Fiji have made eight personnel changes after beating Spain last week.
Scrumhalf Frank Lomani, centre Josua Tuisova and full-back Vuate Karawalevu have each been recalled for the Aviva Stadium showdown.
Head coach Mick Byrne has also made five alterations to his forward pack.
Co-captain Tevita Ikanivere returns at hooker, with Ratu Leone Rotuisolia restored at lock and flankers Meli Derenalagi and Kitione Salawa joining No.8 Elia Canakaivata in a fully-changed back row.
Prediction: Fiji will be stronger than last week while Ireland are weaker – but the hosts should have enough to sneak it.
Wales vs South Africa, Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Sunday Nov 24, 4.40am
Wales (15-1): Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Rio Dyer, Sam Costelow, Ellis Bevan,Taine Plumtree, Jac Morgan, James Botham, Christ Tshiunza, Will Rowlands, Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake (capt), Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Eddie James, Josh Hathaway.
South Africa (15-1): Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse, Jasper Wiese, Elrigh Louw, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Jean Kleyn, Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar, Ox Nche.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard.
Talking points:
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made four changes to the starting line-up for Saturday’s clash against South Africa as questions remain about his future in the job.
Gatland has overseen a record 11 successive Test match defeats, and another loss would mean Wales going an entire calendar year without winning a Test for the first time since 1937.
World champions South Africa, fresh from beating England, are overwhelming favourites to make it seven victories in the last eight games against Wales.
Gatland’s switches from the side crushed 52-20 by Australia last week sees starts for wing Rio Dyer, flyhalf Sam Costelow, lock Christ Tshiunza and number eight Taine Plumtree.
One positional change, meanwhile, sees wing Blair Murray move to full-back instead of Cameron Winnett.
Dyer wears the numnber 11 shirt worn by Murray in the last two games, with Costelow replacing Gareth Anscombe, Tshiunza taking over from an injured Adam Beard and Plumtree replacing Aaron Wainwright.
On the replacements’ bench, meanwhile, there is a role for uncapped Gloucester forward Freddie Thomas, and his club colleague Josh Hathaway is also included.
A gulf in experience between the two teams is highlighted by the Wales match-day 23 having a total of 334 caps, whereas the Spirngboks bench alone boasts 431.
Gatland said: “Last week’s result (against Australia) hurts, and we are just as disappointed by it as the fans. “
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has selected brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse to start and it’s the first time the siblings will have played together for the Springboks.
Halfback Jaden is already a Rugby World Cup winner after helping South Africa to the trophy in France last year, but five-eighth Jordan earns a third Test cap having debuted against Wales at Twickenham in June.
The rest of the backline is unchanged from Saturday’s 29-20 victory over England, with Aphelele Fassi keeping his place at fullback. Wings Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe will give Wales’ defenders plenty to think about. Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel are the centre pairing.
Prop Ox Nche has recovered from a gash above his knee to start alongside Thomas du Toit and hooker Johan Grobbelaar in the front row.
Jean Kleyn plays his first Test this year next to fellow lock Franco Mostert, while Siya Kolisi captains the side from flanker with Elrigh Louw and No.8 Jasper Wiese the other loose-forwards.
The Springboks have stacked their 6-2 bench with experience, bar loose-forward Cameron Hanekom, who could debut against a Welsh side for whom he is also eligible to play international rugby.
If he plays, Hanekom will be the 51st player South Africa have used in Tests this year.
Prediction: Wales were dire against the Wallabies while the Boks have been in excellent form. This oculd be another 25+ walloping for the men in red.
Italy vs New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, Turin, Sunday Nov 24, 7.10am
Italy (15-1): Ange Capuozzo; Jacopo Trulla, Juan Ignacio Brex (capt), Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Martin Page-Relo; Ross Vintcent, Manuel Zuliani, Sebastian Negri; Dino Lamb, Federico Ruzza; Marco Riccioni, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: Giacomo Nicotera, Mirco Spagnolo, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Alessandro Izekor, Alessandro Garbisi, Leonardo Marin, Marco Zanon.
New Zealand (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Cam Roigard, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a,Will Jordan.
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Peter Lakai, TJ Perenara, David Havili, Damian McKenzie.
Talking points:
Sam Cane and TJ Perenara will make their international farewells this weekend after being selected in a strong All Blacks line-up to face Italy in Turin.
Flanker Cane will make his 104th appearance for his country in the starting 15 at the Allianz Stadium as Scott Robertson aims to end the year on a high after a narrow defeat to France in Paris last weekend.
Cane sat that one out due to a head injury.
Perenara, who has 88 caps, starts his last ever match for New Zealand on the bench.
New Zealand have won all 17 of their matches with Italy stretching back to 1979 and Robertson has defied predictions that he would make wholesale changes for the Azzurri.
Two-time World Rugby player of the year Beauden Barrett starts at flyhalf while Wallace Sititi – nominated by World Rugby as breakthrough player of the year – is across from Cane at openside flanker.
Prop Ethan de Groot and lock Patrick Tuipulotu come into the pack while Anton Lienert-Brown is in at centre for the injured Jordie Barrett.
Toulouse star Ange Capuozzo returns for Italy at fullback after sitting out his team’s hard-fought 20-17 win over Georgia with concussion.
Capuozzo left the field seven minutes into Italy’s heavy loss to Argentina which kicked off their autumn Test campaign earlier this month, and comes in for Matt Gallagher.
Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has made in total six changes from last weekend, with injured captain Michele Lamaro handing over the skipper’s armband to centre Juan Ignacio Brex.
Prediction: Robertson’s decision to go with a strong lineup has shown his intent. It’s unlikely to be an annihilation to match the 96-17 World Cup scoreline, but expect the All Blacks to win with ease.
Scotland vs Australia, Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Monday Nov 25, 12.40am
Scotland: TBC
Australia: To be named at 3am Saturday AEDT.
England vs Japan, Twickenham, London, Monday Nov 25, 3.10am
England: TBC
Japan: TBC
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