This weekend, rugby fans all around the world are in for a treat as we have another round of Autumn Tests taking place. The lineups are out so today we’re taking a quick look at all the big matches, in order of when they are being played.
The first two matches are not Test matches, but do feature international teams and will be well worth watching if you get the chance tonight. The rest are all Test matches, kicking off tomorrow.
Barbarians vs Fiji – Belfast
Following the Baabaas’ biggest ever win in the famous invitation club’s history, over the Czech Republic on Tuesday night, they are hoping to put in another solid performance when they face Fiji on Friday night.
Ulster stars Tommy Bowe and Ruan Pienaar join the Barbarians, with the latter on the bench, and Bowe starting at outside centre.
Fiji have included their talisman Nemani Nadolo, who was a star performer during the Rugby World Cup last year, and along with the return of Barbarians winger Taqele Naiyaravoro, will be one to watch out for.
Skillful second rower Leone Nakawara has unfortunately not been included in the Fiji team.
TEAMS:
BARBARIANS – 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Matt Faddes, 13 Tommy Bowe, 12 Richard Buckman, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Andy Ellis (capt); 1 Reggie Goodes, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 3 Ben Franks, 4 Michael Fatialofa, 5 Sam Carter, 6 Brad Shields, 7 Jordan Taufua, 8 Luke Whitelock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Martin Muller, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Richard Mo’unga, 23 Luke Morahan.
FIJI – 15 Benito Masilevu, 14 Waisea Nayacalevu, 13 Asaeli Tikorotuma, 12 Albert Vulivuli, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Serupepeli Vularika; 1 Campese Ma’afu, 2 Jale Sassen, 3 Manasa Saulo, 4 Api Ratuniyawara, 5 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 6 Naulia Dawani, 7 Mosese Voka, 8 Akapusi Quera (capt).
Replacements: 16 Sunia Koto, 17 Joeli Veitayaki, 18 Leeroy Atalifo, 19 Nemia Soqeta, 20 Eremasi Radrodro, 21 Nemia Kenatale, 22 Metuisela Talebula, 23 Vatemo Ravouvou.
Munster vs Maori All Blacks – Limerick
Munster have named a young side for their meeting with the impressive Maori All Blacks. Tommy O’Donnell will captain the Irish side for the first time, where five academy representation players are in the matchday 23.
The Maori All Blacks are without Damian Mckenzie, Elliot Dixon, Rieko Ioane and Tawera Kerr-Barlow as they are promoted to the All Blacks, who face Italy the following day.
This will give chance for the players coming in taking their positions, especially Marty McKenzie – brother of Damian McKenzie – who will play fullback for the Maori.
TEAMS:
MUNSTER – 15 Andrew Conway, 14 Darren Sweetnam, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Ronan O’Mahony, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Duncan Williams; 1 James Cronin, Niall Scannell, 3 Stephen Archer, 4 John Madigan, 5 Darren O’Shea, 6 Tommy O’Donnell (capt), 7 Conor Oliver, 8 Robin Copeland.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Peter McCabe, 18 Brian Scott, 19 Sean O’Connor, 20 John Foley, 21 Te Aihe Toma, 22 Dan Goggin, 23 Alex Wootton.
MAORI ALL BLACKS – 15 Marty Mckenzie, 14 Ambrose Curtis, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 James Lowe, 10 Otere Black, 9 Billy Guyton; 1 Kane Hames, 2 Ash Dixon (capt), 3 Ben May, 4 Leighton Price, 5 Tom Franklin, 6 Reed Prinsep, 7 Shane Christie, 8 Akira Ioane.
Replacements: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Whetu Douglas, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Jason Emery
Italy vs New Zealand – Rome
The Italians will no doubt look to follow in Ireland’s footsteps and cause an unlikely upset againts the All Blacks when they meet in Rome on Saturday.
Simone Favaro, who has had a stormer with Glasgow Warriors so far this season, gets the nod at seven, as head coach Conor O’Shea looks for the Azzurri to try and revive the national set up.
Steven Hansen has selected a young All Blacks side. Hooker Liam Coltman and flyer Rieke Ioane have been named in the matchday 23 for the first time for the All Blacks, whereas rising stars Damian McKenzie and Scott Barrett will play their second Tests.
TEAMS:
ITALY – 15 Edoardo Padovani, 14 Giulio Bisegni, 13 Tommaso Benvenuti, 12 Luke McLean, 11 Angelo Esposito, 10 Carlo Canna, 9 Giorgio Bronizini; 1 Andrea Lovotti, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 4 Marco Fuser, 5 Andries Van Schalkwyk, 6 Maxime Mbanda, 7 Simone Favaro, 8 Sergio Parisse (capt).
Replacements: 16 Ornel Gega, 17 Sami Panico, 18 Pietro Ceccarelli, 19, George Biagi, 20 Francesco Minto, 21 Edoardo Gori, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Tommaso Boni.
NEW ZEALAND – 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow; 1 Wyatt Crockett, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 5 Scott Barrett, 6 Elliot Dixon, 7 Sam Cane (capt), 8 Steven Luatua.
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Aaron Smith, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Rieko Ioane.
England vs South Africa – Twickenham
The two rivals go into this match with England not having beaten the visitors in the last ten years, however this could well be their best chance at it, as the Springboks have looked disjointed and disrupted after what has been, by their standards, a disastrous two years.
Patrick Lambie retains the flyhalf starting spot, while inexperienced Rudy Paige starts at nine, and hooker Adriaan Strauss returns to captain the side.
England have gone with playmakers George Ford and Owen Farrell at 10 and 12 respectively, while Courtney Lawes packs down with Joe Launchbury, and October’s Premiership Player of the Month Mako Vunipola beefs up the front row.
TEAMS:
ENGLAND – 15 Mike Brown, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Dylan Hartley (capt), 3 Dan Cole, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Courtney Lawes, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Tom Wood, 8 Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Dave Attwood, 20 Nathan Hughes, 21 Danny Care, 22 Ben Te’o, 23 Jonathan Joseph.
SOUTH AFRICA – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Rudy Paige; 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Adriaan Strauss (capt), 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Willem Alberts, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Warren Whiteley.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Johan Goosen, 23 Lionel Mapoe.
Scotland vs Australia – Murrayfield
Ross Ford will make his 100th cap, as he becomes only the third Scot to reach the centurion mark.
The exciting centre Huw Jones will make his first start for Scotland, after his prolific season in Super Rugby with the Stormers. Allan Dell comes in to make his debut as Scotland look to avenge the controversial quarter-final last year in the Rugby World Cup.
Michael Cheika has made one change to the Australia side that beat Wales last week, as Will Genia replaces Nick Phipps, as the Aussies look to win their second match of their Grand Slam Tour.
Dean Mumm, Tom Robertson and Will Skelton take up places on the bench, while James Slipper, Scott Fardy, Nick Frisby and Sefa Naivalu drop out of the squad.
TEAMS:
SCOTLAND – 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw (capt); 1 Allan Dell, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Jonny Gray, 6 John Barclay, 7 Hamish Watson, 8 Ryan Wilson.
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Moray Low, 19 Grant Gilchrist, 20 John Hardie, 21 Ali Price, 22 Peter Horne, 23 Rory Hughes.
AUSTRALIA – 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia; 1 Scott Sio, 2 Stephen Moore (capt), 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Rory Arnold, 5 Adam Coleman, 6 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper, 8 Lopeti Timani.
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Will Skelton, 21 Dean Mumm, 22 Nick Phipps, 23 Quade Cooper.
France vs Samoa – Toulouse
Maxime Machenaud has been selected at scrumhalf by France coach Guy Noves. The Racing man will play alongside experienced flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc.
With Machenaud starting, the 22-year-old Baptise Serin, who played a crucial part in Les Bleus’s 27-0 demolition of Argentina in June, will start on the bench. New Zealand born Samoan Uini Atonio is on the tighthead side of the scrum for France.
David Lemi will lead a Samoa team that is missing Tusi Pisi to injury, so will feature Patrick Faapale at number ten. Lemi joins Paul Perez and Paul Williams in the back-three with the experienced Rey Lee-Lo and George Pisi starting in the midfield.
TEAMS:
FRANCE – 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Remi Lamerat, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Virimi Vakatawa,
10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Kevin Gourdon, 6 Loann Goujon, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Julien Le Gevedec, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Jefferson Poirot
Substitutes: 16-Camille Chat, 17-Cyril Baille, 18-Rabah Slimani, 19-Sebastien Vahaamahina, 20-Charles Ollivon, 21-Baptiste Serin, 22-Jean-Marc Doussain, 23-Gael Fickou
SAMOA – 15 Paul Williams, 14 Paul Perez, 13 George Pisi, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 David Lemi (c), 10 Patrick Faapale, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 Genesis Mamea-Lemalu, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Alafoti Faosiliva, 5 Filo Paulo, 4 Christopher Vui,
3 Census Johnston, 2 Manu Leaiataua, 1 Zac Taulafo
Substitutes: 16 Elia Elia, 17 Logovi’i Mulipola, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Jeff Lepa, 20 Gregory Foe, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 D’Angelo Leuila, 23 Ken Pisi
Wales vs Argentina – Cardiff
Welsh stars Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones return as Rob Howley makes six changes to the side following a poor performance last week against Australia. Gethin Jenkins will retain the captain’s armband, whilst Jamie Roberts drops to the bench.
Argentina will be looking to continue their recent form after their high-scoring match against Japan last week. The Pumas look a dangerous side all over the field, and will look to beat the Welsh on their home turf, no doubt with some exciting attacking rugby.
TEAMS:
WALES – 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Gethin Jenkins (capt), 2 Ken Owens, 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Luke Charteris, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Sam Warburton, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Ross Moriarty.
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Cory Hill, 20, James King, 21 Lloyd Willams, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Jamie Roberts.
ARGENTINA – 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Matias Moroni, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Juan Martin Hernandez, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Martin Landajo; 1 Lucas Noguera Paz, 2 Augustin Creevy (capt), 3 Ramiro Herrera, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Matias Alemanno, 6 Pablo Matera, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 8 Facundo Isa.
Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Santiago Garcia Bptta, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Leonardo Senatore, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Santago Gonzalez Iglesias, Santiago Cordiero.
Ireland vs Canada – Dublin
Ireland will look to continue their winning form after their emphatic win against the All Blacks last weekend. Joe Schmidt has completely rotated his squad, giving chances to the younger players, such as Leinster’s upcoming talent Garry Ringrose.
Canada will be looking to cause an upset at the Aviva Stadium where they begin their tour in Europe. However, the Canadians will be missing key player Jamie Cudmore, so will look up to Aaron Carpenter to lead the North American country to a major shock.
TEAMS:
IRELAND – Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Kieran Marmion; 1 Cian Healy, 2 Sean Cronin, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Ultan Dillane, 5 Billy Holland, 6 Peter O’Mahony (capt), 7 Sean O’Brien, 8 Jack O’Donoghue.
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 John Ryan, 19 Donnacha Ryan, 20 Dan Leavy, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Niyi Adeolokun.
CANADA – 15 Matt Evans, 14 DTH van der Merwe, 13 Conor Trainor, 12 Ciaran Hearn, 11 Taylor Paris, 10 Connor Braid, 9 Gordon McRorie; 1 Djustice Sears-Duru, 2 Ray Barkwill, 3 Jake Ilnicki, 4 Brett Beukeboom, 5 Evan Olmstead, 6 Kyle Baillie, 7 Lucas Rumball, 8 Aaron Carpenter (capt).
Replacements: 16 Eric Howard, 17 Rob Brouwer, 18 Matt Tierney, 19 Admir Cejvanovic, 20 Matt Heaton, 21 Phil Mack, 22 Patrick Parfrey, 23 Nick Blevins.
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