Autumn rugby internationals Week 1: Everything you need to know for the weekend

Oct 31, 2024, 03:46 PM

International rugby returns with several blockbuster Test matches in November, as the northern and southern hemisphere sides go head-to-head once more.

England and New Zealand kick things off at Twickenham on Saturday in a match that always promises drama and entertainment, before Scotland host Fiji in Edinburgh.

England had an eventful summer, with the highly publicised departures of Felix Jones and Aled Walters from the coaching set up following their tour to Japan and New Zealand. Head coach Steve Borthwick was forced to defend the team environment in the aftermath but only time will tell what the impact is on the pitch.

They will be itching to get one over the All Blacks, who they twice came up short against in July in New Zealand. While they produced two solid performances, Borthwick’s side need wins to show they really are progressing and set themselves up for the Six Nations.

North of the border, Scotland kick off their campaign against Fiji on Saturday evening. Gregor Townsend’s side have had a mixed year, and will look to shake off any cobwebs against Fiji before the visit of South Africa an Australia; two games which will give a true measure of where this team is at.

Here are the line-ups and key team news ahead of the game’s this weekend, plus our match previews.

England vs. New Zealand

Match details: Saturday, Nov. 2 at Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London. 3.10 p.m. UK [2.10 a.m. Sunday AEST]

England: Ellis Genge, Jamie George (captain), Will Stuart, Maro Itoje, George Martin, Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Ben Spencer, Marcus Smith, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, George Furbank. Relacements: Theo Dan, Fin Baxter, Dan Cole, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Harry Randall, George Ford.

New Zealand: Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett (Captain), Tupou Vaa’i, Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea (Vice-Captain), Cortez Ratima, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett (Vice-Captain), Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Will Jordan. Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samipeni Finau, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown, Damian McKenzie

Team news: England coach Steve Borthwick has opted to pick Henry Slade in the midfield, despite him only playing 55 minutes of rugby for Exeter this season after having shoulder surgery in the summer. Ben Spencer has been trusted with scrum-half duties in the absence of Alex Mitchell, who has a neck injury. Fly-half George Ford has been named on the bench after recovering from a thigh muscle tear, with Marcus Smith set to start at No. 10 as he did in both Tests against New Zealand in July.

Meanwhile, Scott Robertson has opted for Beauden Barrett at fly-half, with Damian McKenzie — who has started the majority of All Blacks Tests this year — dropping to the bench. Barrett made a significant impact off the bench in the second Test against England in July. Cortez Ratima will play inside him after being handed the No. 9 jersey. In the forwards, 22-year-old Wallace Sititi’s breakout year continues as he starts alongside Ardie Savea and Sam Cane in the back row.

Match prediction: While this is England’s first match since facing the All Blacks in July, New Zealand have a host of games under their belt since then, having played in the Rugby Championship. Previous clashes between these sides at Twickenham have been infamously close — notably in 2022 when they played to a 25-25 draw — so match fitness could play a part with the margins so fine. After Joe Marler’s comments on Tuesday regarding the Haka, another spicy Test match can be expected. New Zealand by 3 — James Regan