The autumn internationals, or Autumn Nations Series to give it its official title, sees the best of northern and southern hemisphere rugby come together for a month of mouth-watering matches.
England have lost their opening three matches, to New Zealand, Australia and now South Africa, with just Eddie Jones’ Japan to come to avoid an autumn whitewash.
Ireland, replaced by the Springboks as the world’s No 1 team, were also beaten by New Zealand. However, Andy Farrell’s men bounced back with a hard-fought victory over Argentina in Dublin, despite twice being reduced to 14 men. They next host Fiji and Australia.
Wales, who suffered the ignominy of losing to Fiji in their opening game, next face a rejuvenated Australia before tackling the Springbok juggernaut.
Scotland have so far played three, won two, although their two victories were against Japan and Portugal. In the one that really mattered, they too lost to South Africa.
France, meanwhile, have just defeated New Zealand in one of the games of the autumn.
(All times GMT)
Saturday, November 2
– England 22 New Zealand 24
– Scotland 57 Fiji 17
Friday, November 8
– Ireland 13 New Zealand 23
Saturday, November 9
– England 37 Australia 42
– Italy 18 Argentina 50
– France 52 Japan 12
Sunday, November 10
– Wales 19 Fiji 24
– Scotland 15 South Africa 32
Friday, November 15
– Ireland 22 Argentina 19
Saturday, November 16
– Scotland 59 Portugal 21
– England 20 South Africa 29
– France 30 New Zealand 29
Sunday, November 17
– Italy v Georgia, Stadio Luigi Ferraris (Genoa), 1.40pm
– Wales v Australia LIVE
Friday, November 22
– France v Argentina, Stade de France, 8.10pm
Saturday, November 23
– Ireland v Fiji, Aviva Stadium, 3.10pm
– Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium, 5.40pm
– Italy v New Zealand, Allianz Stadium (Turin), 8.10pm
Sunday, November 24
– Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield, 1.40pm
– England v Japan, Twickenham, 4.10pm
Saturday, November 30
– Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium, 3.10pm
In the UK and Ireland, each game is being shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Unlike the Six Nations, there is no free-to-air television coverage. The radio rights are held by the BBC, where commentary will be on BBC Radio 5 Live.
In France, TF1 are covering Les Bleus’ fixtures, with beIN SPORT offering every other match.
In Italy, Sky Italia continue to show every game.
A 20-minute red card is in play for the Autumn Nations Series as part of a series of law trials.
Games also feature countdown clocks for scrums and line-outs as well as referees explaining key decisions to the crowd via a microphone.
The 20-minute red card, which is said to be designed for “technical offences”, allows offending players to be replaced after that period. Crucially, though, officials will retain the ability to send players off permanently for foul play that is deemed to be deliberate and dangerous.
(All times GMT)
England v Japan, Twickenham, 4.10pm
All England’s games are being shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Any time Eddie Jones returns to Twickenham, expect fireworks. And his Japan play a brand of attacking rugby that is a joy to watch. Expect the Brave Blossoms to take an early lead and hold their own in the first half before fatigue and indiscipline creep in and allow England to pull away and seal – on the scoreboard at least – a comfortable victory.
Predicted score: England 45 Japan 23
