Rugby
Sam BruceTom Hamilton 1y

What's new for world rugby's top 10 this autumn?

Rugby

After a gripping few weeks of Test rugby in July, the big dogs of world rugby again come together from this weekend as the final cross-hemisphere internationals are played before next year's World Cup.

The Six Nations and Rugby Championship will both precede the game's showpiece event next season, but this is likely the last time we will see Eddie Jones' men battle anyone from the south and the likes of the high-flying France and Ireland face off with the Wallabies and Springboks.

There is plenty to gain, but equally just as much to lose, as world rugby's elite continue to hunt for the best combinations and the continuity of game plan that will see them challenge for the Webb Ellis Trophy in France next year.

Read on as we analyse what has changed for world rugby's current top 10 since July, and what issues they'll be looking to address over the next few weeks of Test action.


Argentina

World ranking: 8

Tests: England, Nov 6; Wales, Nov 12; Scotland Nov 19.

The multi-tasking Michael Cheika brings his Pumas north for three big Tests, none more so than their opening game against England whom they also face in pool play in France next year. If Cheika's Lebanon rugby league make the World Cup quarterfinals, the Australian will likely rely on his assistants to handle the preparation and matchday for that Test at Twickenham.

Certainly Argentina are in vastly improved position to this time last year, having earlier this season defeated Scotland 2-1 and then recorded Rugby Championship victories over both Australia and New Zealand. They also were right in their closing two games of the tournament against the Springboks, only for poor discipline and an inability to defend the rolling maul to give the world champions the opportunity to pull away inside the final 10.

While those two defeats have stifled a rejuvenated Pumas' momentum, they are playing a far more complete brand of rugby under Cheika; the Australian, too, prepared to tweak his own coaching philosophy after he nailed himself to the attack-at-all-costs cross with the Wallabies. Keep an eye on the sensational Juan Martin Gonzalez, who was a star for the Pumas during the Rugby Championship, while two wins from their three Tests would be an excellent return this autumn.

Australia

World ranking: 9

Tests: Scotland, Oct 29; France, Nov 5; Italy, Nov 12; Ireland, Nov 19; Wales, Nov 26.

How things have changed in Australia, and how they have also stayed the same. This time last year, the Wallabies were embarking on spring tour on the back five straight wins; fast forward 12 months and Australia have slipped to an all-time low ranking, have lost their last three, and suddenly coach Dave Rennie appears to be pondering his next coaching move.

The Wallabies have, however, battled an injury run few other Test nations could have contemplated in the space of three months. A rotten run that saw them lose three players in their opening Test against England has only gotten worse, with players dropping like flies in games and at training; the latest being lock Matt Philip who tore his ACL just hours before the team flew out to France.

There is some good news for Rennie in the return of Michael Hooper. The former Wallabies skipper was back training in Sydney a few weeks before the touring squad will named, his return from a mental health break a timely boost for an Australia team that is short on experience. Tom Banks is another name finally off the injured list while Bernard Foley looks to have his nose in front in the merry-go-around that is the Wallabies No. 10 jersey.

But perhaps the biggest name - and easily the biggest player - among the Wallabies touring squad is Will Skelton. While the gigantic La Rochelle lock was brought in at the same juncture last year, he was only sparingly used off the bench and never really made much of an impact as a result. But the indications are this year will be different, as much because of Australia's injury crisis at lock, and Skelton should expect some run-on opportunities. The question whether he can boss the Test game like he has European rugby potentially answered once and for all.

Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos says three wins from five Tests is a pass mark for this group. That is certainly attainable, but such is the Jekyll-and-Hyde nature of this Wallabies a group, just a solitary victory wouldn't surprise either.

England

World Ranking: 5

Tests: Argentina, November 6; Japan, Nov. 12; New Zealand, Nov. 19; South Africa, Nov. 26

Untimely injuries have been a constant theme throughout Eddie Jones' England tenure and the previous weekend of Gallagher Premiership toil proved to be particularly brutal. It saw Jonny May dislocate an elbow, Harry Arundell pick up an injury and Owen Farrell suffer a blow to the head. So with that, best laid plans were in tatters and Jones will be looking to new combinations for at least their opening Test against Argentina.

England have issues at hooker, lock, in the centres and on the wings through injury. Jamie George will miss the autumn series, while Luke Cowan-Dickie is also a doubt at hooker. In the locks England are without their back up second-rows with Ollie Chessum, Nick Isiekwe and Charlie Ewels all absent while there are continuing concerns over captain-in-waiting Courtney Lawes as he continues his return to play from a concussion.

Further back it remains to be seen what Jones does around the wings and centres. Farrell's potential absence means Henry Slade gets a reprieve in the centres, having originally been left out of the squad, while May's elbow dislocation will see Max Malins emerge as a potential starter there.

Jones has talked about these quartet of matches as a mini-World Cup. They would have liked nearly a full complement of players to take down the world's best, but instead they are missing approximately two-fifths of the squad that secured a 2-1 series win over the Wallabies in the summer. Despite that, England will be looking to win all four matches this autumn and take that momentum into the Six Nations.

France

World Ranking: 2

Tests: Australia, November 5; South Africa, Nov. 12; Japan, Nov. 20

With under a year until the 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off in Paris, France will be desperate to continue their upward trajectory ahead of their home tournament. With the 2022 Six Nations title in the bag, and a promising summer which saw them test the depth of their squad in their series win in Japan, France will want three from three this November. They are on a record-equalling 10-game winning streak, so a triumph over the Wallabies will see them create their own slice of France rugby history.

They'll tackle it without star fullback Melvyn Jaminet, but his absence means there's a chance for either Anthony Bouthier or Thomas Ramos to step up there.

The extended 42-man squad for the Autumn Nations Series sees Aliverati Raka back in the squad - having not played since December 2020 - while there are new faces in the squad Thomas Laclayat, Léo Berdeu, Ethan Dumortier and Pablo Uberti.

France do have injury concerns in the front-row with Jean-Baptiste Gros suffering a broken arm at the weekend and Cyril Baille already out injured. Clement Castets and Jerome Rey are in line to feature in there at loosehead. The team will be captained by the reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Antoine Dupont, who has been picked ahead of Charles Ollivon. That call means Dupont is in line to captain Les Bleus at next year's global gathering.

Ireland

World Ranking: 1

Tests: South Africa, November 5; Fiji, Nov. 12; Australia, Nov. 19

Andy Farrell's Ireland head into the autumn series with the pressure, and privilege, of being the world's best side. Having secured a historic 2-1 series win over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil in the summer, and off the back of securing the Triple Crown in the Six Nations earlier this year, they will have a target on their backs but will look to complete the clean sweep this November.

The 37-man squad named by Farrell saw a return to the mix for Ulster wing Jacob Stockdale for the first time since July 2021 as he steps into the void left by the injured James Lowe. There are six uncapped players hoping to make a dent in the November series with Ciaran Frawley, Jeremy Loughman, Joe McCarthy, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O'Brien and Cian Prendergast all included.

Johnny Sexton captains the group once again, but there are key players missing in Iain Henderson, Keith Earls and Andrew Conway, while Bundee Aki is suspended for their opening two Tests. Aki's absence means it's between Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey for a spot in the centres.

As seems to be common this autumn, Ireland have several injury doubts and will continue to monitor the fitness of Tadhg Furlong, Josh van der Flier, Hugo Keenan, Joey Carbery, Kieran Treadwell, Ryan Baird and Jamison Gibson-Park.

Japan

World ranking: 10

Tests: New Zealand, Oct 29; England, November 12; France, Nov 20.

While the Six Nations and SANZAAR unions will enjoy genuine Test calendars ahead of the World Cup, the next few weeks are pivotal for the Brave Blossoms who don't have the luxury of an international tournament next year. They will line up World Cup warm-ups, no doubt, but they will not perhaps be as battle-hardened as the other nations in the top 10 when they arrive in France next year.

Coach Jamie Joseph did however had the benefit of a three-match series against Australia A. While it was officially a Japan XV outfit, the majority of the country's frontline stars were in action across three keenly-contested matches that each went down to the final few minutes. In the end, Japan lost the series 2-1 but the playing time was invaluable ahead of a daunting three-Test run that sees them face the All Blacks, England and France.

Many of the names who starred for Japan in 2019 are still present within this Brave Blossoms squad, but there is also a raft of emerging talent that is keen for greater exposure on the global stage. While winning any of the three Tests looks a bridge too far, Japan will want to avoid any scoreline blowouts as their emerging brigade adjusts to the greater physical demands of international rugby.

New Zealand

World ranking: 4

Tests: Japan, Oct 29; Wales, Nov 5; Scotland Nov 13; England, Nov 19.

Ian Foster is safe; the Bledisloe and Rugby Championship trophies secure; so all is well within New Zealand rugby, right? On the surface of things, yes, the All Blacks are in a far better position than they were at the end of August, yet there is something still nagging at the heart of the New Zealand rugby fan. The home series defeat by Ireland and history-making loss to Argentina remain front of mind.

Still, New Zealand arrive in Japan on the back of three straight wins and barring a catastrophe will hit the U.K. with a fourth and the chance to finish the year with seven consecutive victories; their finale against England at Twickenham arguably the Test of the entire autumn series as the two teams meet for the first time since the 2019 World Cup semifinals.

Foster has been forced into some late personnel changes before the team departed for Japan because of both injury and family bereavements, with Damian McKenzie, Patrick Tuipulotu, Asafo Aumua ands Brad Weber among those called upon . But the biggest inclusion comes at No. 12 where the classy Anton Lienert-Brown is added to a midfield mix crying out for someone to demand selection at inside centre. While Jordie Barrett was superb in Bledisloe II at No. 12, it is understood the All Blacks preference is to keep him at fullback.

Elsewhere, the No. 6 jersey remains up for grabs as Foster appears wedded to his Sam Cane-Ardie Savea double-act at openside and No. 8. Richie Mo'unga has also seemingly nailed down the No. 10 jersey after Beauden Barrett had previously been preferred.

A sense of stability, the kind that comes with consecutive victories, is the order of the day for the All Blacks this November, a closing showdown with Eddie Jones' men the perfect yardstick for an otherwise roller coaster 2022.

Scotland

World Ranking: 6

Tests: Australia, October 29; Fiji, November 5; New Zealand, Nov. 13; Argentina, Nov. 19

It was one of the most controversial squad announcements of Gregor Townsend's managerial tenure in charge of Scotland as he opted to leave the mercurial Finn Russell out of the squad for the autumn. Townsend said it was for rugby reasons, challenging Russell to improve his consistency, but a quick look at their recent past and you'll see a clash of cultures and understanding between coach and player.

There were reports of a dressing room argument between the two after the 2019 Calcutta Cup match. Russell also walked out of the squad before the 2020 Six Nations. He was one of six players reprimanded by Townsend for breaching team protocol in last year's championship and was rested for their summer tour of South Africa. But he's absent from the latest squad - with Townsend handing the keys to No.10 to Blair Kinghorn and Adam Hastings - and it remains to be seen if there's a way back for the wonderfully talented Russell.

Townsend has also chopped and changed the captaincy with Stuart Hogg stood down, and the honour passed to Jamie Ritchie. Townsend has included three uncapped players in the squad: Murphy Walker (prop), Stafford McDowall (centre) and ex-Wallaby Jack Dempsey (No.8). Only Scotland-based players will be eligible for their opener against the Wallabies this weekend. The pressure will be on Townsend to justify his call to stand down Russell off the back of a 2-1 series defeat to Argentina in the summer.

South Africa

World ranking: 3

Tests: Ireland, Nov 5; France, Nov 12; Italy, Nov 19; England, Nov 26.

The world champions may have fallen short of Rugby Championship glory, but they head to Europe boasting a 7-3 record - the best of any SANZAAR nation this year - and with the momentum of a three-game winning streak. Still, there are grumblings in the Republic around the team's setup and just what coach Jacques Nienaber is trying to do with this current Springboks group. The Elton Jantjies-saga also continues to shroud this team.

The Springboks however rightfully remain one of the giants of world rugby, with Tests against three of the top five ranked nations this November affording them the opportunity to really assert a psychological edge for next year's global showpiece. The Test against Ireland is also a preview of the huge Pool B clash between the two teams in Paris.

Nienaber's biggest head-scratcher comes at No. 10, not just because of Jantjies' off-field woes but more so because of an injured Handre Pollard, whose switch to Leicester has been anything but beer and skittles. Having missed the backend of the Rugby Championship through injury, Pollard then picked up a knee knock, which has since required surgery, on his Tigers debut. It means Damian Willemse will likely wear the No. 10 jersey in Europe, just as he did in Sydney against the Wallabies and then in the first Test against the Pumas, only to suffer a concussion himself; Johan Goosen was also included in a camp in Stellenbosch.

Elsewhere, the Boks we feel the continued absence of the world-class Lukhanyo Am while breakout star Canan Moodie will also not tour Europe because of injury. But the bulk of South Africa's heralded pack remains intact and it will again serve as the focal point of their game plan. Perhaps the biggest change since the Rugby Championship however is the lifting of the matchday ban for director of rugby Rassie Erasmus. While the 2019 World Cup winner will join the South Africa A program in Europe, you can guarantee he will be just as engaged with the Boks, too.

Wales

World Ranking: 7

Tests: New Zealand, November 5; Argentina, Nov. 12; Georgia, Nov. 19; Australia, Nov. 26

The big absentee is Northampton's Dan Biggar. The long-term first-choice No.10 is out with a knee injury and heads up a lengthy list of injured personnel with flanker Taine Basham, prop Leon Brown, hooker Dewi Lake, lock Seb Davies, prop Wyn Jones, back-row Josh Navidi, centre Johnny Williams and fullback Liam Williams all sidelined. There are further injury doubts over Josh Adams, George North, Leigh Halfpenny and Taulupe Faletau.

With Biggar absent, Rhys Priestland and Gareth Anscombe will vie for the fly-half spot. Biggar's absence also causes a leadership issue for Wayne Pivac, one the coach has turned to the returning Justin Tipuric to fill. But while Biggar's absence will be felt, Pivac has had the chance to recall some familiar faces including Ken Owens, alongside Tipuric back and Halfpenny. There were eyebrows raised over Pivac's call to leave out Rhys Carre, Aaron Wainwright and Ross Moriarty.

The challenge for Wales will be to win three of their four autumn Tests while also having a look at some uncapped players with Joe Hawkins (centre), Sam Costelow (fly-half), Dane Blacker (scrum-half), Rio Dyer (winger) and Josh Macleod (back-row) all included.

Keep an eye on the back-row, where Wales have some wonderful options. Exeter's Christ Tshiunza is outstanding, while Tommy Reffell has been playing superbly for Leicester.

Wales will take heart from their victory on South African soil in the summer - having lost the series 2-1 to the Springboks, but secured a 13-12 victory in Bloemfontein - but they'll be looking to put down a marker in front of their home support this autumn.

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