Week 3 of the Autumn Nations Series left contrasting emotions after another sensational batch of games.
The pressure has intensified on Wales and coach Warren Gatland after their 11th straight defeat, going down in a 52-20 thrashing at the hands of Australia.
However, they weren’t the only team to see their winless run extended. England saw their own losing streak reach five matches with a defeat to the Springboks, their worst run since 2018.
Meanwhile, the Wallabies’ resurgence under Joe Schmidt continued as they produced one of their best performances in recent memory, while France will take massive confidence from a third straight win over New Zealand, edging last year’s World Cup finalists 30-29 in Paris.
Week 4 promises more nail-biting action, with the chance for some teams to get a much-needed win before the end of the year.
Jump to:
France vs. Argentina | Ireland vs. Fiji | Wales vs. South Africa
Italy vs. New Zealand | Scotland vs. Australia | England vs. Japan
France vs. Argentina
Time: Friday, Nov. 22 8.10 p.m. UK [7.10 a.m. [Saturday AEST]
Stadium: Stade de France, Paris.
How to watch: TNT Sports / discovery+.
France: Jean-Baptise Gros, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Antonio, Thibaud Flament, Emmanuel Meafou, Francois Cros, Paul Boudehent, Charles Ollivon, Antoine Dupont (captain), Thomas Ramos, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Yoram Moefana, Gael Fickou, Gabin Villiere, Leo Barre.
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Rede Wardi, Geroges-Henri Colombe, Alexandre Roumat, Mickel Guillard, Marko Gazzotti, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton.
Argentina: Thomas Gallo, Julian Montoya (captain), Joel Sclavi, Guido Petti, Perdo Rubiolo, Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Joaquin Oviedo, Gonzalo Garcia, Tomas Albornoz, Bautista Delguy, Matias Moroni, Lucio Cinti, Rodrigo Isgro, Juan Cruz Mallia.
Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Ignacio Calles, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Franco Molina, Marcos Kremer, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Santiago Carreras, Mateo Carreras.
Team news: France coach Fabien Galthié has made three changes to the forward pack that started in the win against New Zealand last week, with Uini Antonio coming into the front-row for Tevita Tatafu.
Francois Cros is in for Alexandre Roumat at flanker, while Charles Ollivon comes in at No. 8 for Gregory Alldritt. There is just one change to the back-line: Romain Buros, who scored a try on debut last week, has been left out in favor of Leo Barre at fullback.
Argentina have made one change to the starting side that pushed Ireland all the way in Dublin last week, with Gonzalo Garcia replacing Gonzalo Bertranou at scrum-half. Bertranou has dropped out of the squad with Lautaro Bazan Velez coming onto the bench.
Winger Mateo Carreras and flanker Marcos Kremer return to the squad and will start from the bench.
Prediction: While France will be on a high after their 30-29 victory over the All Blacks, coach Galthié will demand a cleaner performance from his side, who were scrappy at times in Paris last week. Having come close in Ireland, Argentina will be desperate to knock off another top nation this year, having already recorded wins over New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in the Rugby Championship.
Felipe Contepomi’s side are developing into a well rounded outfit. Their scrum has long been feared by other teams, but their backline and attacking prowess is becoming more of a strength with every game. The battle between fly-halfs Tomas Albornoz and French counterpart Thomas Ramos will be an intriguing one. In front of home fans though, France will hope to show their success last week was no fluke, and come away with a win that sets them up for a tilt at Six Nations success. France by 6 — James Regan.
Ireland vs. Fiji
Time: Saturday, Nov. 23 at 3.10 p.m. UK [2.10 a.m. Sunday AEST]
Stadium: Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
How to watch: TNT Sports / discovery+.
Ireland:
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Wales vs. South Africa
Time: Saturday, Nov. 22 at 5.40 p.m. UK [4.40 a.m. Sunday AEST]
Stadium: Principality Stadium, Cardiff.
How to watch: TNT Sports / discovery+ / S4C / BBC iPlayer.
Wales:
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South Africa: Ox Nche, Johan Grobbelaar, Thomas du Toit, Jean Kleyn, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (captain), Elrigh Louw, Jasper Wiese, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Aphelele Fassi.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard.
Team news: Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has selected brothers Jaden Hendrikse and Jordan Hendrikse at scrum-half and fly-half, respectively, the first time the brothers will play together for South Africa. The rest of the backline is the same as the one that started against England last week. Hooker Bongi Mbonambi drops out of the side, replace by Johan Grobbelaar, while Thomas du Toit also joins the front-row in place of Wilco Louw.
The second-row is completely changed with Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman moving to the bench, rotated for Jean Kleyn and Franco Mostert. Siya Kolisi and Jasper Wiese keep their places in the back row, while Elrigh Louw replaces Pieter-Steph du Toit.
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Italy vs. New Zealand
Time: Saturday, Nov. 22 at 8.10 p.m. UK [7.10 a.m. Sunday AEST]
Stadium: Allianz Stadium, Turin.
How to watch: TNT Sports / discovery+.
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Scotland vs. Australia
Time: Sunday, Nov. 23 at 1.40 p.m. UK [12.40 a.m. Monday AEST]
Stadium: Murrayfield, Edinburgh.
How to watch: TNT Sports / discovery+.
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England vs. Japan
Time: Sunday, Nov. 23 at 4.10 p.m. UK [3.10 a.m. Monday AEST]
Stadium: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
How to watch: TNT Sports / discovery+.
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