The Autumn Internationals get underway this weekend so with a packed month of international rugby ahead we thought a quick fixture guide would be a handy addition.
England v Australia is the only fixture of Home Nations significance this weekend, though for the early risers Japan are hosting New Zealand at 5am UK time. Given that both England and Ireland will play the All Blacks this Autumn and Scotland face Japan next week this ought to be worth at least a cursory glance.
The highlight of next weekend will most likely be Wales v South Africa, whilst England host Argentina, Ireland host Samoa, and Scotland host Japan as above.
The weekend of the 16th is the one to look out for though – the Home Nations play host to the entire Rugby Championship, with England hosting New Zealand, Wales inviting Argentina to Cardiff, Ireland looking for a win against Argentina, and Scotland hoping to show further improvement over their summer tour opposition, South Africa.
If that will be seen as the defining weekend for the Home Nations, the following weekend is not bad either, England will have completed their fixtures but Scotland host Australia and Ireland welcome the All Blacks. Wales are also in action against Tonga.
Wales, as has regularly become the case, will play for one week longer than the other; they host Australia on the 30th as the they hope that they can finally get over their hoodoo against the Wallabies after the success of the Lions.
Casting the net further afield to the rest of the Six Nations, France’s fixture with New Zealand on the 9th should be good viewing, while on the 23rd Italy v Argentina and France v South Africa should be a pair of cracking fixtures.
It looks set to be an exciting and jam packed autumn, as ever.
Home Nations Autumn International Fixtures:
2/11/13 England v Australia 14.30
9/11/13 England v Argentina 14.30
9/11/13 Scotland v Japan 14.30
9/11/13 Wales v South Africa 17.30
9/11/13 Ireland v Samoa 17.45
16/11/13 England v New Zealand 14.30
16/11/13 Wales v Argentina 14.30
16/11/13 Ireland v Australia 17.45
17/11/13 Scotland v South Africa 15.00
22/11/13 Wales v Tonga 19.30
23/11/13 Scotland v Australia 18.00
24/11/13 Ireland v New Zealand 14.00
30/11/13 Wales v Australia 17.00
Other Autumn Internationals:
2/11/13 Japan v New Zealand 05.00
9/11/13 Italy v Australia 15.00
9/11/13 France v New Zealand 21.00
16/11/13 Italy v Fiji 15.00
16/11/13 France v Tonga 18.00
23/11/13 Italy v Argentina 15.00
23/11/13 France v South Africa 21.00
