After a thrilling weekend of Autumn Nations Series action last weekend, we are now into the thick of it, with the next set of team announcements just around the corner.
If last weekend was a tasty set of fixtures, then this weekend is an absolute jaw dropper, as all the world’s best sides from the northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere combine.
In the two lunchtime kick-offs on Saturday, Italy host Argentina in Treviso, whilst Scotland welcome the world champion Springboks to BT Murrayfield.
Later on that day, Ireland host New Zealand in Dublin, before Australia make the trip to Twickenham in the 5.30 kick-off to face old foes England.
On Sunday, France host Georgia and Wales welcome Fiji to Principality Stadium.
Ahead of the fixtures though, comes the team announcements, and we look at when those are going to be.
TUESDAY
South Africa
The Springboks will name their side to take on Scotland at BT Murrayfield at 11:30 on Tuesday morning.
Fresh from their narrow victory over Wales at Principality Stadium last weekend, they are looking to record another victory against a Scotland side who themselves defeated Australia last weekend.
South Africa last played Scotland three years ago, and last lost at BT Murrayfield in 2010, so they have both history and form behind them as they embark on their second Test of the Autumn Nations Series.
THURSDAY
England
Eddie Jones will name his England side to face Australia this weekend at 11:30 on Thursday.
Owen Farrell is back into training after his Covid-19 scare last weekend and will most likely be in line to start again against Australia.
England defeated Tonga 69-3 last weekend, scoring 11 tries in the process, as they started their Autumn Nations Series campaign with a bang.
Australia
England’s opponents, the Wallabies, will name their side on Thursday too at a time yet to be confirmed.
Dave Rennie’s side suffered defeat against Scotland last weekend, losing 15-13 against Scotland at BT Murrayfield, to end their five-match unbeaten run.
The Wallabies suffered a bit of an injury crisis in Edinburgh, so it is expected there may be a few enforced changes for the trip to Twickenham.
Scotland
Gregor Townsend is expected to announce his Scotland side for the South Africa clash at midday on Thursday.
After that victory over the Wallabies on Sunday, Scotland are flying high, but a visit of the world champions represents another formidable test for them.
It is expected that the side that defeated Australia will make up the majority of the side that will face South Africa.
Ireland
Thursday is the day for squad announcements, and Ireland’s side to face the All Blacks is set to be announced then too.
Their 60-5 win over Japan set the tone for a big Autumn Nations Series, and the Test against New Zealand is likely to be just that, with the All Blacks hungry for revenge from their 2018 defeat in Dublin.
Andy Farrell may make a few changes from the side that defeated Japan, so keep your eyes out for that one.
New Zealand
The All Blacks were made to work hard in Rome last weekend and their match this weekend with Ireland will be another one tough challenge.
Ian Foster will almost certainly make several changes from the side that stumbled to a 47-9 victory, with many of New Zealand’s top stars rested ahead of their two huge Tests against Ireland and France.
Italy
The Azzurri are preparing for their fixture against Argentina, which will give a much better indication of Kieran Crowley’s new squad than the New Zealand clash of last weekend.
Crowley is expected to name his side to face Los Pumas on Thursday, as Italy look to take a major scalp.
They haven’t defeated Argentina in Italy since 1998, but there is hope that this could be their year.
Argentina
Italy’s opposition are also likely to name their side on Thursday, ahead of the match on Saturday.
Mario Ledesma’s side put in an encouraging performance against France and will be hoping that they can head to Treviso and return to winning ways after a tough run of games.
FRIDAY
France
France are expected to name their squad for the Georgia fixture on Sunday this Friday.
Les Bleus are fresh from defeating Los Pumas last week in a 29-20 win and Fabien Galthié made it clear that he intends to keep the bulk of the squad the same, with one eye on the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
It will be interesting to see how close to his promise he is for the fixture this weekend, with the mouth-watering clash against the All Blacks a week later.
Wales
Wayne Pivac is expected to name his side to take on Fiji this Friday too.
Wales will face the Flying Fijians on Sunday afternoon and after a narrow defeat to the Springboks they will be hoping to earn a first victory of the Autumn against Fiji.
It is not yet clear whether Pivac will ring the changes to allow some of the younger players to play, or keep the squad the same, so keep an eye out for the Welsh squad changes this Friday.
