#Autumn Nations Series

Returning Wales coach Warren Gatland will have been thrilled at how the regions fared, winning four from four across the Heineken Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup, while players old and new staked a claim to new England boss Steve Borthwick. England and Wales, as well as Scotland, will all be naming their squads for the Championship next week,…

Jack Dempsey will make his first start for Scotland as Gregor Townsend's side face Argentina in their Autumn Nations Series finale on Saturday. The Glasgow Warriors back row has featured off the bench in all three of Scotland's matches so far this autumn, making his debut in the narrow defeat to the nation of his birth Australia, and will now get…

South Africa and France have almost always enjoyed a cordial rugby relationship, but that friendship was tested over the acrimony of the Rugby World Cup 2023 (RWC 2023) vote. Long story short, South Africa's was the preferred bid, but the French delegation lobbied behind the scenes and "won" the right to host RWC 2023. It led to rancour and…

Backrow powerhouse Jake Polledri looks set to have to wait until 2023 before he is given a shot at returning to the international arena having missed out on Italy's latest training squad ahead of the Autumn Nations series. The 19-cap Azzurri number eight is on a comeback following nearly two years on the sidelines after suffering a horror knee and…

This season's Guinness Six Nations Championship will see a familiar face and an exciting international newcomer in the coaches' corner. Warren Gatland has returned for a second stint with Wales, replacing Wayne Pivac, while Steve Borthwick takes the England reins after Eddie Jones was sacked two weeks ago. Here the PA news agency looks at the four…

South Africa have fallen to fourth place in the World Rugby Rankings since their triumph in Japan back in 2019, having lost 10 of their last 26 test matches. Ireland currently sit on top of the rankings, while France won a Six Nations grand slam last year and New Zealand retained their Rugby Championship title. Edwards believes South Africa proved…

Once he returns to full fitness, the center is set for a big year in 2023. Am is the linchpin of that South African defense and will be crucial to their Rugby World Cup defense, despite the fact that Jesse Kriel has done an admirable job in his absence. He was amazing during their run at the global tournament in 2019; in the final, he turned it on…

With the Rugby World Cup under nine months away, we thought it was worth picking seven players to watch out for in 2023. There are plenty of established figures here who have their own individual stories and targets over the next 12 months so without further ado, here's our selection. The centre is set for a big 2023 after getting back to full…

Scottish rugby in the last decade has grown more than most nations. Since an underwhelming Rugby World Cup in 2011, crashing out at the group stage, Scotland have vastly improved as a rugby nation. However, to take the next step and seriously challenge for a Six Nations title, will Scotland need to look at losing their national identity? Gregor…

The grandest stage in European club rugby has begun its shows for another year. With a new, faraway country in the mix to try their hand at the European Rugby Champions Cup, things got spicy quickly. South Africa's proud rugby history was injected into the Champions Cup for the very first time in the competition's existence this past weekend, and…

And although Ireland finished second behind Grand Slam winners France, this campaign only reaffirmed that they are moving in the right direction under head coach Andy Farrell. TALE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP Ireland demonstrated their title credentials in Round 1 with a comprehensive 29-7 victory over Wales at Dublin's Aviva Stadium. Bundee Aki strolled…

Following a 23-17 victory for Leicester Tigers over the Ospreys in their Champions Cup fixture, here's our five takeaways from the match at Swansea.com Stadium on Sunday. This was an outstanding win by a particularly inexperienced but youthful Tigers side playing away against the Ospreys boasting some seven Test Lions and something north of 700…

The wait is almost over as this Saturday, the Six Nations returns to our screens and with fan-filled stadiums to boot. After last year's tournament was played behind closed doors, players, coaches and fans will be thrilled that all matches are set to feature no such restrictions after the Welsh government dropped relevant Covid-19 rules in…

Some of the best clubs in world rugby have had their chance to warm up and work out the kinks. Now, it's time for the real tests. The Heineken Champions Cup - Europe's top yearly club rugby competition - returns for another go-round this weekend with Round 1. Throughout the course of this year's schedule, FloRugby will provide a weekly look at the…

Now that the 2022 international season has been wrapped up, we delve into the state of affairs in each of the competing nations. Next up, England. To find the right adjective to describe England's 2022 Autumn Nations Series campaign is hard. Dismal would be at one extreme, underwhelming might be somewhat kinder, but one thing is for sure - rather…

Now that the 2022 international season has been wrapped up, we delve into the state of affairs in each of the competing nations. Next up, Australia. After another underwhelming Rugby Championship campaign - in which they finished in third position from the four participating countries in the competition - the Wallabies were determined to show…

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Former England captain, Chris Robshaw has backed Eddie Jones to remain in charge of the national side despite a poor run of recent form and results. Former England captain Chris Robshaw believes that Eddie Jones is the "right man" to lead England into the Rugby World Cup, describing him…

England head coach Eddie Jones has selected his England team to play Japan in the Autumn Nations Series on Saturday. The Aussies' side lost 30-29 to Argentina last Sunday, a sixth defeat in ten matches this year. "We've worked hard this week to improve on last week's performance. We've taken a good look at our preparation and we are happy with our…

The Autumn Nations Series concluded at the weekend, with the Wallabies mounting an incredible comeback against Wales in Cardiff, while South Africa ended their tour on a high with a resounding win over England at Twickenham. We take a look at where those games were won and lost and look at some of the positives for each team in this year's series.

France have been backed to win their first Six Nations title since 2010. Fabien Galthié's men will head into the tournament full of confidence following a successful Autumn Nations Series campaign which saw them dispatch Argentina and Georgia before finishing with a statement of intent by beating the All Blacks 40-25. France finished second in the…

Scotland face their toughest test yet in the Autumn Nations Series when they welcome South Africa to BT Murrayfield on Saturday. Scotland captain Stuart Hogg lifts the Hopetoun Cup following the win over Australia. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group) The reigning world champions arrive in Edinburgh having beaten Wales in Cardiff 23-18 last weekend…

Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, November 24. Bookmakers have released the first odds on Wayne Pivac's potential successor as Wales coach, even though the Kiwi is still the man at the helm. The under-fire Welsh boss today names his team to face Australia at the weekend knowing he needs to find a winning formula as pressure builds…

Rugby's Greatest Championship gets back underway soon as England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy gear up for the annual event The 2022 Six Nations Championship will kick off February as the six top rugby union nations from the northern hemisphere get set to go head-to-head once again. Wales will be looking to retain the trophy they won…

Scotland missed a last-minute penalty as they lost by a point to a valiant Australia in a fascinatingly tight grudge match in Edinburgh. A fast start to the contest culminated in the opening try, with hot-stepping Scotland full-back Ollie Smith diving over in the corner to score on just his second appearance in dark blue. That start gave way to a…

OWEN Farrell has been in the news recently following a disappointing Autumn Nations series. With three Six Nations Championship titles under his belt for England as well as five Premiership successes with domestic club Saracens, Farrell has arguably been one of England's most influential players both domestically and internationally in the past…

While England's failures this month have been well documented, the other home nations experienced a range of fortunes during the Autumn Nations Series. In the rugby world rankings, European pair Ireland and France have maintained their hold at the summit while New Zealand have jumped South Africa for third. Beyond that, Wales have plummeted from…

Rugby Union comes to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London as the star-studded Barbarians take on a team of All Blacks bolters, all of whom are hoping to be amongst the runners and riders in New Zealand's squad ahead of next year's World Cup. While the Baa-Baas are yet to play this autumn, the All Blacks XV have already enjoyed a run-out…

Scotland continue their end-of-year campaign with a third successive match at Murrayfield, and this one is set to be their toughest yet, as New Zealand's All Blacks travel to Edinburgh looking for a third consecutive victory on their tour of the Northern Hemisphere. Scotland's two Tests this autumn have been a mixed bag, with Gregor Townsend's men…

France continue their end-of-year internationals with another supreme test of their mettle and quality, as the world champion Springboks head to Marseille's Stade Velodrome. Les Bleus needed a last-gasp try from Damian Penaud to edge Australia in a 30-29 victory in Saint-Denis, overcoming the Wallabies in a match that saw both teams edge in front…

It's the third match for Gregor Townsend's side in the Autumn Nations Series which will conclude next weekend against Argentina in Edinburgh. Scotland opened their autumn campaign with a 16-15 loss to Australia then beat Fiji 28-12. New Zealand represents a significant step up for the Scots who have never beaten the All Blacks in 31 Test…

Ireland continue their Autumn Nations Series against Fiji this weekend. Andy Farrell's side recorded a massive win against World Cup champions South Africa last week in Dublin. They are massive favourites to record another win against Fiji on Saturday, with the bookmakers offering Ireland at measly odds of 1/66. Heres more info on the game and how…

England are out to put their disappointing defeat to Argentina behind them when they host Japan on Saturday. Having lost 30-29 to the Pumas last weekend, they'll need to show a significant reaction after a below-par performance from many of Eddie Jones' key performers, and will need to be very wary about the threat posed by his former side. Japan's…

With the Autumn Nations Series resumes this week with more intriguing clashes on offer, Planet Rugby dives into five storylines ahead of the action. Pressure is once again compounding on England head coach Eddie Jones after his team fell short to Argentina 30-29 on Sunday. Jones took responsibility for the loss claiming he was experimenting ahead…

The Autumn Nations Series certainly delivered over the weekend, with gripping contests played out in Dublin, Paris and London. And did the All Blacks finally turn the corner of their topsy-turvy season in a runaway victory over Wales in Cardiff? Perhaps Scotland can halt New Zealand's mini resurgence this weekend in Edinburgh? Read on for all the…

Warren Gatland has tipped two England stars to shine during the Autumn Nations Series. Writing in The Telegraph, the former Wales and Lions boss identified 12 players to watch over the next month of exciting test rugby. Below we take a look at his choices from the home nations. To read his full list read his article by clicking…

Head coach Wayne Pivac has named the Wales senior men's team to face New Zealand in the opening round of the Autumn Nations Series on Saturday (KO 3.15pm) Wales play the All Blacks in front of a full house at Principality Stadium where the match is live on Amazon Prime, with English and Welsh live broadcasts available. There are also highlights on…

The annual Autumn Internationals rugby carnival is underway, with England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland to be tested by the best the southern hemisphere has to offer. New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina are all in action over a five-week period, which began with Scotland's narrow defeat to Australia at Murrayfield last…

This weekend looks set to mark the biggest weekend of northern v southern hemisphere rugby in two years, since the last time autumn rugby internationals were in full swing in their usual format. This Saturday, November 13, will see the following games take place in the Autumn Nations Series (with UK kick-off times): Italy v Argentina (1pm) Scotland…

KO 1.00 at BT Murrayfield Saturday 5th November 2022 Live on Amazon Prime Video When these sides last met at Murrayfield, in 2018, the Scottish Rugby Blog's preview lamented the fact that this was only Fiji's 12th game against a Tier 1 side across two World Cup cycles (excluding RWCs themselves). The Flying Fijians may have lost that match but then…

These are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, November 3. Wales head coach Wayne Pivac is due to name his starting XV today, when it will become clear how much injuries within the squad have taken their toll. The build-up has seen a number of players with injury issues, including key performers like Taulupe Faletau, George North and Josh Adams.…

Wales coach Jonathan Humphreys insists that New Zealand remain fearsome proposition despite the struggles of Ian Foster's men this year. Following a series defeat to Ireland and a heavy loss to South Africa, Foster was on the brink of being sacked, but they turned it around to win the Rugby Championship. There was still a historic first home loss…

Ken Owens looks set to make a Wales return on Saturday after an 11-month injury battle that severely tested his mental and physical strength. The 35-year-old Scarlets hooker has not represented his country since a Six Nations Grand Slam clash against France early last year. A nerve issue in his back, which he suffered during Wales training two days…

WALES HOOKER KEN OWENS said he is ready to make his Test return against New Zealand this weekend after an 11-month injury battle that left him doubting he would make it back to the international stage. Owens has not played for Wales since a Six Nations Grand Slam clash against France early last year. The 35-year-old suffered a nerve issue in his…

Hardcore rugby fans the world over will be licking their lips as the armada of Southern Hemisphere giants steams north to take on the old world powers of the Six Nations. New Zealand laid down a statement of intent last weekend when they stopped off in Washington DC to cuff around a callow United States Eagles team, shorn of their more experienced…

The Autumn Nations Series is set to begin, where the best teams in the world are primed to face off in what will almost definitely be a thrilling month of action. There are a variety of intriguing subplots and this delves into the big talking points ahead of the action starting. Just under four points separates the top five teams in the…

Danilo Fischetti and Luca Morisi have been included amongst a training squad of 35 players in Kieran Crowley's first Italian national squad of the 2022/23 season. The chosen players will converge in Verona from 23 to 28 October in preparation for the Azzurri's Autumn Nations Series challenges. The Italian duo, alongside compatriot Giosúe Zilocchi,…

Former Wales and Lions boss Warren Gatland is poised to appear as a TV pundit for Prime Video during the Autumn Nations Series. He is ready to work in the media on key England, Wales and Ireland matches. Amazon is the principal broadcaster of the Autumn Nations Series which forms a crucial part of the build-up to next year's World Cup in…

The Scots are defending the Calcutta Cup after last year's memorable 11-6 win at Twickenham, Scotland's first at English rugby's HQ since 1983. Gregor Townsend has named an experienced side which will be led by captain Stuart Hogg, winning his 89th cap. Twelve of the Scotland starters from the 2021 match have been picked again. Who: Scotland v…