Autumn internationals Week 4: Rugby team news, how to watch

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.

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+.

  France: Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Antonio, Thibaud Flament, Emmanuel Meafou, Francois Cros, Paul Boudehent, Charles Ollivon, Antoine Dupont (captain), Thomas Ramos, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Yoram Moefana, Gael Fickou, Gabin Villiere, Leo Barre. 

Replacements: Julien Marchand, Reda Wardi, Geroges-Henri Colombe, Alexandre Roumat, Mickaël Guillard, Marko Gazzotti, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton.

   Argentina: Thomas Gallo, Julian Montoya (captain), Joel Sclavi, Guido Petti, Pedro Rubiolo, Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Joaquin Oviedo, Gonzalo Garcia, Tomas Albornoz, Bautista Delguy, Matias Moroni, Lucio Cinti, Rodrigo Isgro, Juan Cruz Mallia. 

Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Ignacio Calles, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Franco Molina, Marcos Kremer, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Santiago Carreras, Mateo Carreras.

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.  

Argentina have made one change to the starting side that pushed Ireland all the way in Dublin last week, with Gonzalo Garcia replacing Gonzalo Bertranou at scrum-half. Bertranou has dropped out of the squad with Lautaro Bazan Velez coming onto the bench. 

Winger Mateo Carreras and flanker Marcos Kremer return to the squad and will start from the bench. 

Prediction: While France will be on a high after their 30-29 victory over the All Blacks, coach Galthié will demand a cleaner performance from his side, who were scrappy at times in Paris last week. Having come close in Ireland, Argentina will be desperate to knock off another top nation this year, having already recorded wins over New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in the Rugby Championship.

Felipe Contepomi's side are developing into a well rounded outfit. Their scrum has long been feared by other teams, but their backline and attacking prowess is becoming more of a strength with every game. The battle between fly-halfs Tomas Albornoz and French counterpart Thomas Ramos will be an intriguing one. In front of home fans though, France will hope to show their success last week was no fluke, and come away with a win that sets them up for a tilt at Six Nations success. France by 6 -- James Regan. 

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+.

  Ireland: Andrew Porter, Gus McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Cormac Izuchukwu, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Craig Casey, Sam Prendergast, Jacob Stockdale, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Mack Hansen, Jamie Osborne.

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Tom O'Toole, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson, Cian Prendergast, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley, Stuart McCloskey.

  Fiji: Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere, Luke Tagi, Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua, Meli Derenalagi, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani, Caleb Muntz, Ponipate Loganimasi, Josua Tuisova, Waisea Nayacalevu (captain), Jiuta Wainiqolo, Vuate Karawalevu.

Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Haereiti Hetet, Samu Tawake, Setareki Turagacoke, Albert Tuisue, Peni Matawalu, Vilimoni Botitu, Sireli Maqala.

Team news: Young flyhalf Sam Prendergast will make his first Ireland start after an impressive debut off the bench last week, one of seven changes that includes first caps for flanker Cormac Izuchukwu and hooker Gus McCarthy.

Coach Andy Farrell was exasperated with Ireland's second half performance last week but heaped praise on how the "composed" 21-year-old Prendergast controlled the game and helped defend a three-point lead when he came on for the last quarter.

The emergence of Prendergast, a highly touted prospect who was still a member of Leinster's academy 15 months ago, adds to the contest to fill Johnny Sexton's No. 10 jersey that Munster's Jack Crowley initially wrestled control of.

Elsewhere, Leinster's Jamie Osborne, nominated this week for the World Rugby breakthrough player of the year award, comes in at fullback to win his fifth cap after a similarly eye-catching cameo off the bench last week.

The other changes include a recall for the rejuvenated Jacob Stockdale, the 28-year-old Ulster winger who is Ireland's joint-sixth highest all-time try scorer but has struggled to capture top form in recent years.

Bundee Aki also returns at centre and Craig Casey gets a start at scrum-half in a side that is still stacked with Six Nations winners and not treating the Fijians lightly.

Prediction: Ireland have not quite looked their imperious, usual selves this month after a disappointing defeat against the All Blacks was followed up by a narrow victory against Argentina. They will be looking to send a message against Fiji and have field a strong side to do just that. It seems likely that Ireland steamroll to victory, but Fiji have the talent to make a game of it if Ireland fail to find top form again. Ireland by 15. -- Connor O'Halloran

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.

 Wales: Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (captain), Archie Griffin, Will Rowlands, Christ Tshiunza, James Botham, Jac Morgan, Taine Plumtree, Ellis Bevan, Sam Costelow, Rio Dyer, Ben Thomas, Max Llewellyn, Tom Rogers, Blair Murray. 

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Eddie James, James Hathaway. 

  South Africa: Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (captain), Elrigh Louw, Jasper Wiese, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Aphelele Fassi.

Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Marco van Staden, 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.

In the second-row, Erasmus had planned a shakeup, with Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman moving to the bench and Jean Kleyn and Franco Mostert starting. However, Etzebeth was restored to the lineup after Kleyn pulled out with an injury on Friday.

Siya Kolisi and Jasper Wiese keep their places in the back row, while Elrigh Louw replaces Pieter-Steph du Toit. 

Warren Gatland has made four changes to his starting side, with winger Rio Dyer a welcome return, as Blair Murray shifts to fullback. Fly-half Sam Costelow makes his first start of the autumn, replacing Gareth Anscombe who drops out of the squad. In the forwards, the injured Josh Hathaway is replaced by Christ Tshiunza. Aaron Wainwright has also been left out, with Taine Plumtree starting at No. 8. 

Prediction: This is far from the ideal way to finish the year for Wales, who will have lost every Test in a calendar year for the first time since 1937 should South Africa win in Cardiff. Gatland's future remains up in the air and things won't get any easier this week. The Springboks' depth seems never-ending, with Erasmus' rotation of his squad in no way diminishing their side. Things could get ugly for Wales. Even if they are hanging on come the second half, you can be sure the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Malcolm Marx and Hondre Pollard will come on and turn the screws. South Africa are streets ahead in terms of ability, experience and, perhaps crucially, confidence. South Africa by 42. -- James Regan. 

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+.

  Italy: Danilo Fischetti, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Marco Riccioni, Federico Ruzza, Dino Lamb, Sebastian Negri, Manuel Zuliani, Ross Vintcent, Martin Page-Relo, Paolo Garbisi, Monty Ioane, Tommaso Menoncello, Juan Ignacio Brex (captain), Jacopo Trulla, Ange Capuozzo.

Replacements: Marco Zanon, Leonardo Marin, Alessandro Garbisi, Alessandro Izekor, Niccolo Cannone, Simone Ferrari, Mirco Spagnolo, Giacomo Nicotera.

  New Zealand: Will Jordan, Mark Tele'a, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Scott Barrett (captain), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.

Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa'i, Peter Lakai, TJ Perenara, David Havili, Damian McKenzie.

Team news: New Zealand's former captain Sam Cane and scrum-half TJ Perenara will get the chance to play for the All Blacks for a final time after being picked by coach Scott Robertson to face Italy. Cane, who has 103 caps, will line up on the open side of the scrum in a switch to the loose trio with Samipeni Finau out with concussion. It means Ardie Savea moves back to No. 8 with Wallace Sititi now on the blindside. Perenara, with 88 caps, has been named as replacement scrum-half and will likely get a run out to mark the end of his All Blacks career.

Prediction: If this Test was being played right after this year's Six Nations, you could make a case for Italy potentially being able to cause an upset. That doesn't look possible this week, though. Italy have underwhelmed this month, with a significant 50-18 defeat to Argentina followed by a narrow in over Georgia. The All Blacks shouldn't be troubled too much in this one. New Zealand by 20. -- Connor O'Halloran

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+.

 Scotland: Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Jamie Ritchie, Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson, Ben White, Finn Russell, Duhan van der Merwe, Sione Tuipulotu (captain), Huw Jones, Darcy Graham, Blair Kinghorn.

Replacements: Dylan Richardson, Rory Sutherland, Will Hurd, Alex Craig, Josh Bayliss, George Horne, Tom Jordan, Kyle Rowe.

   Australia: Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Allan Alaalatoa, Jeremy Williams, Will Skelton, Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Harry Wilson (captain), Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Harry Potter, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright.

Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Isaac Kailea, Zane Nonggorr, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Max Jorgensen.

Team news: Scotland have made 14 changes to their starting XV, including a return for mercurial fly-half Finn Russell.

Scotland thumped Portugal 59-21 last weekend but have reverted to a more recognisable team that sees their experienced players return to face the Wallabies.

Van der Merwe and Graham jointly hold the record for most international tries for Scotland with 29 each.

"The players have earned the right to be in the team with the way they have performed," coach Gregor Townsend said.

"It is one of the most experienced Scotland teams we have selected and they are in a good space in terms of their leadership and what they have learned over the last year or two."

Meanwhile, Harry Potter will hope to weave his magic on the wing for Australia as he makes his Test debut, while there is a return from concussion protocols for captain Harry Wilson.

English-born Potter, 26, will be the 18th player to debut for the Wallabies this year as head coach Joe Schmidt looks at his combinations ahead of next year's British & Irish Lions series.

Rugby league convert Joseph Suaalii returns to the starting XV at outside centre, with Len Ikitau shifting back to the inside berth after Samu Kerevi's red card against the Welsh means he is suspended.

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+.

  England: Ellis Genge, Jamie George (captain), Will Stuart, Maro Itoje, George Martin, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Ben Earl, Jack van Poortvliet, Marcus Smith, Ollie Sleightholme, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank.

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Fin Baxter, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Nick Isiekwe, Chandler Cunningham-South, Harry Randall, Fin Smith, Tom Roebuck.

 Japan: Takato Okabe, Mamoru Harada, Shuhei Takeuchi, Sanaila Waqa, Epineri Uluiviti, Kanji Shimokawa, Kazuki Himeno, Faulua Makisi, Naoto Saito (captain), Nicholas McCurran, Jone Naikabula, Siosaia Fifita, Dylan Riley, Tomoki Osada, Takuro Matsunaga.

Replacements: Seunghyuk Lee, Yukio Morikawa, Keijiro Tamefusa, Daichi Akiyama, Tevita Tatafu, Ben Gunter, Shinobu Fujiwara, Yusuke Kajimura.

Team news: England have made two changes for Japan on Sunday with Tom Curry and George Furbank both starting, while Asher Opoku-Fordjour is in line to make his debut from the bench.

England are seeking to end their November internationals on a winning note having fallen to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa this month. Steve Borthwick has resisted the temptation to make mass changes for Sunday's match. Furbank returns at full-back with Freddie Steward dropping out of the matchday squad. Curry is in the back-row after recovering from a head injury sustained against Australia, and his return sees Chandler Cunningham-South on the bench.

Fin Smith replaces George Ford on England's bench while Cunningham-South steps in for Alex Dombrandt. Sale prop Opoku-Fordjour could make his England debut as replacement tight-head.

Prediction:

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.

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