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+.
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Rede Wardi, Geroges-Henri Colombe, Alexandre Roumat, Mickel Guillard, Marko Gazzotti, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton.
Replacements:
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.
Prediction:
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+.
Replacements:
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Team news:
Prediction:
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.
Replacements:
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.
Prediction:
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+.
Replacements:
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Team news:
Prediction:
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+.
Replacements:
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Team news:
Prediction:
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+.
Replacements:
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Team news:
Prediction:
Source: espn.com