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The Autumn international Rugby matches come to a conclusion on Saturday, with Ireland, Scotland and Wales all in action. The most exciting game will be happening in France though, as the New Zealanders see what they can do against the French, who pulled out a big win over Tri-Nations winners South Africa a couple of weeks ago. After beating Samoa in the interim, one of the favourites for next year’s Six Nations, France will want to test themselves again against the unbeaten tourists. The All Blacks have beaten England, Italy and Wales on their tour this year, and will look to head back down under with a four game victory by beating the French. This should be a well contested match-up, with the French looking very good at the moment. France of course, have a reputation of being hit and miss, but if they can add the consistency to their game, they will be a dominant force alongside Ireland in the forthcoming Six Nations.

Ireland are the next team to take on South Africa, and the Irish will be looking to build upon the last gasp draw they managed against Australia at Croke Park. The Irish and the French are the best of the Six Nations teams at the moment, and some of the familiar names were rested for last weekend’s 41-6 rout against Fiji, Ireland should be somewhere near full strength to take on the Springboks. This should be one almighty clash of two good teams, and France have already shown that the South Africans are vulnerable. The one surprising factor in the South African game is how easily their scrum has been destroyed by France and then Italy. It is one area of their game that needs work, while the Irish are very strong up front.

Meanwhile, brave Scotland, who pulled off a famous win over the Australians last weekend, will look to build some momentum themselves, by beating Argentina. After giving England a good game, the Pumas didn’t play very well in their defeat against Wales at all. The Scot’s 9-8 win over Australia was a backs-to-the-wall rear guard action for sustained period, and they actually made a lot of errors which would have made their life a little easier had they been more composed. The result, surprising probably to even the Scots, was hard fought for, and only a failed late kick at goal from Australia’s Matt Giteau secured the win for the Scottish. Their forward pack will be tested again this weekend by Argentina, who are a rough, raw power house up front. They simply never turned up for some mysterious reason against Wales though, losing 33-16.

Wales, after losing to New Zealand and beating Samoa, go in search of their third win, and a chance to get some more practice in the scrum. That is Wales’ weak area at the moment, but they have enough in the backs with their running game to gloss over the cracks a lot of the times. They could get dominated by the Aussies in the pack, and one thing is for sure, is that the defeat against the Scots will have hurt the Wallabies. They came on tour looking for a Grand Slam against the four home nations, and that loss rained on that parade for them, along with the draw against Ireland. Wounded Wallabies are not to be taken lightly, and while they have been looking ok, they definitely have looked the weakest of the Tri-Nations teams. If Wales manage to beat them, then it will only serve to leave England with further egg on their faces, being the only team that Australia managed to beat on their Autumn tour, and that would leave Martin Johnson’s England reeling even further behind the progress of the other home nations.

France to win: 5/4 at SkyBet
Draw: 20/1 at Paddy Power
New Zealand to win: 4/5 at Stan James

Ireland to win: 6/5 at Stan James
Draw: 20/1 at Paddy Power
South Africa to win: 10/11 at SportingBet

Scotland to win: 4/7 at Boylesports
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
Argentina to win: 15/8 at Totesport

Wales to win: 11/10 at ExtraBet
Draw: 20/1 at Paddy Power
Australia to win: 10/11 at SkyBet

AUTUMN RUGBY UNION INTERNATIONALS

While England are trying to contain the killer instincts of the New Zealand back three at Twickenham, the other three home nations are also in action.

Millennium Stadium
Saturday, 21 November
Kick-off: 2.30pm

After suffering a narrow, and somewhat unfortunate defeat against England last week, Argentina head across the border to take on Wales in Cardiff. This will be a good battle up front between the two sets of players, as Argentina know how to scrum and do it very well. They will rely on it as one of their strengths, and it is part of their game plan which has helped them gain a noticeable status on the platform of world rugby. Wales, on the other hand, are not so impressive there are the moment, and look like a unit that needs some more work, or perhaps just more time to gel together.

The Argentineans like to play on the edge, and with a raw passion that almost put England to shame on the scoreboard, as well as in performance last week. Wales struggled against Samoa in the scrum, which is something that should be unheard of in the Valleys. Although the Welsh squeezed past their southern hemisphere opponents 17-13, they were struggling to hold on against the Samoans. That was after a game against New Zealand, in which the Welsh pack did ok, but when New Zealand turned up to play Italy, the Italians showed how you could really disrupt and turn on the power against the Kiwi pack.

Wales’ strength though will be running in the backs, but they will have to be ready to scrap for every morsel against the South Americans. They will have watched the tapes of Argentina against England, and have witnessed the strength in their games. This could be a good contrast in styles, as Argentina know that they can attack in the pack, and the Welsh know that they can attack with backs. With ball carrying in the packs being the dominant element of the game, it will be down to Wales to either improve on their scrimmaging, or keep the ball in open play as much as possible. They will be hoping to improve their record of having only won two of the last six meetings between the two teams.

Wales to win: 2/9 at Boylesports
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
Argentina to win: 4/1 at SportingBet

IRELAND v FIJI
Dublin
Saturday, 21 November
Kick-off: 3.15 pm

Brian O’Driscoll scored a dramatic late try in last weekend’s encounter with Australia, to earn the Irish a well fought draw. The Irish, arguably the strongest of the home nations, have decided to ring in the changes for Saturday’s match against Fiji. Despite some of the first team regulars getting a well deserved rest, it will probably be a very strong Irish side still on display, and far too powerful and crafty for the Fijians. It should be a comfortable and domineering ride for the Irish on their home turf.

Fiji, who barely showed up in their 23-10 defeat against Scotland last weekend, have also made changes, in order to put a little fire in their bellies. But it means that it will be a weakened Fiji that takes to the field, something which their coach is bemoaning, insisting that some of their top players were stopped from going on tour by their clubs. Whatever the contraventions to IRB rules that would be if true, it all means that it will probably turn into something of an exhibition match for the Irish, and justifiably, they are seeing how some of the younger blood copes on the international stage. For the Irish, Jonathan Sexton steps in at Fly-Half, and will get his debut chance to see just how ready his is to fill in the massive boots of Ronan O’Gara.

Ireland to win: 1/25 at Stan James
Draw: 50/1 at Bet365
Fiji to win: 16/1 at PaddyPower

SCOTLAND v AUSTRALIA
Murrayfield Stadium
Saturday, 21 November
Kick-off: 5.15 pm

Scotland will be feeling bright after their win over Fiji last weekend, and the players that earned their win have all retained their places in the squad. Australia though, is of course, a bigger fish to fry than Fiji anyway, and the Scots, not the strongest of the home nations to be fair, should find the going tough against the Wallabies. There were two contrasting sides to Scotland last weekend, they were running well and getting creative in their attacking prowess, but lost their way completely in the second half, allowing Fiji to dominate them for sustained periods. If that happens again in the second half, then it will be an all too familiar result against the Australians.

Australia will be aware of the Scot’s strength in the middle of the park and rugged play up front, but these fixtures usually end up as a comfortable win for the southern hemisphere side. Chris Cusiter remains as captain for the home side, while the Australians are maintaining the same team which battled for a draw against Ireland last, all apart from George Smith coming back into the scrum. The draw against the Irish, ruined the Aussies chance for a grand slam over the home nations, but they can still return home unbeaten. For anything else to happen, the Scots, coached by Andy Robinson (yes, he of England, um, fame) will need to keep on top of their game for the entire 80 minutes to keep things close.

Scotland to win: 6/1 at Sporting Bet
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
Australia to win: 2/9 at Totesport

Saturday, November 21
Tickenham
Kick Off: 2.30pm

With the turgid victory over Argentina lingering in the annals of history as one game that definitely wants to be forgotten, England turn their attention to the might of the All Blacks, as the Kiwis visit Twickenham on Saturday. England’s first half performance in the 16-9 win against Argentina was regarded as one of the most dire and dismal that Twickers has witnessed. If this is a team which is going forward and building for the future, then it is hard to see where that is happening, or the logic behind some of the selections.

Coach Martin Johnson’s latest selections will not take many steps towards mending the views of the disgruntled fans, as he has gone for brawn over brains to face New Zealand. Johnson has called up Ayoola Erinle, Simon Shaw and Joe Worsley to the starting fifteen, in order to try and bring a more physical edge to the home side’s game. Out goes the creativity of Shane Geraghty in midfield, replaced by the much bigger physical presence of Erinle. The returning Matthew Tait, a dangerous runner sits on the substitute bench. The changes by the England management are designed to slow down the New Zealand attack, and to be able to put up a stronger fight around the breakdowns, an area in which the All Blacks flourish.

The All Blacks themselves are undergoing some changes, and are in a transitional period. The main difference is that despite that, they are still sitting at the top of the World Rankings, while England are languishing behind in creativity and apparent direction. The Kiwis haven’t lost in their last seven outings against England, but are not at the pinnacle of their games, because of the new faces which have come into the line-up. For the All Blacks, this game may be seen as more of a warm up for next week’s game against France, who will be toughest opposition which the New Zealanders will see on this tour.

The lack of creativity and any invention by England to get over the gain line was apparent in last Saturday’s fixture against Argentina. With that game following a defeat against Australia in which England ran out of steam and imagination, England have only mustered up one try in two games. Josh Lewsey, a former international has lashed out at the England set-up and has called into question the quality and suitability of England’s specialist coaches. Now, instead of being brave and taking on one of the best teams in the world with some spark of forward thinking, Johnson has likely slowed down England to a physical game, instead of trusting the changes that need to come to build on a running game.

As stale as England may look, they are still missing a lot of key players through injury. That is no excuse though for the poor showing, as fringe players should be keen to put up a game which challenges the selectors. Perhaps then, it really is all down to the style of coaching, something then, which may seriously need looking at. It’s hard to point all fingers of accusation at Martin Johnson, although everything will ultimately come back on his shoulders. Perhaps it is the falling down of systems behind the scenes, maybe it is the cautious game-plan that is England’s biggest downfall, much like the cricket team. The fear of failure backs them into a corner where they play conservatively from the outset. Maybe there is something to the claims that the Guinness Premiership is not as competitive as it was, or that the Golden age of English rugby really has gone, but it is surprising, with having one of the biggest bases of eligible players in the world, that the English seem to falling further behind the other home nations.

England to win: 7/1 at SportingBet
Draw: 40/1 at Boylesports
New Zealand to win: 1/7 at SportingBet

Betting advice: New Zealand will have a fresh Dan Carter back to compound England’s woes in midfield. Do not expect any razzle-dazzle when it comes to England’s game on Saturday, for they will simply be set up to lose by as few points as possible.
New Zealand 13+ win Margin: 8/11 at 888Sport

Ireland v Australia
Croke Park, Dublin
Sunday, November 15th

After Australia’s opening Autumn series win against England at Twickenham last weekend, the Aussies are off to Croke Park on Sunday, to try and maintain the possibility of a rout over the home nations. With none of the home nations exactly lighting up the rugby world, with Wales scraping past Samoa and Scotland just doing enough to see off Fiji, who are now managed by ex-England boss Andy Robinson, this could be the big outbreak of excitement of the Autumn internationals.

France did surprisingly beat South Africa on Friday, and with England looking less than good in their win over Argentina, Northern Hemisphere rugby could do with another boost. Ireland v Australia has thrown up some great games in the past, especially at the 2005 World Cup. The Irish are in a large part, the most accomplished of the home nations, in control, poise and attacking flair, and they will be led onto the park by Brian O’Driscoll who steps up to claim his 100th Test cap for his nation. It was against Australia that O’Driscoll, the creative midfielder won his first cap ten years ago.

Australia did an easy job on England, beating them 18-9, but Ireland should pose much more of a threat to the Tri-Nations side than Martin Johnson’s men did. The Irish, 2009 Grand Slam Champions, are a stronger unit, and have the individuals, as well as the team structure to attack and get over the gain line, whereas England just went from side to side and backwards. Australia will start with the same team that beat England, except for David Pocock coming into replace George Smith. The Australians started slowly in the match, and that is the area in which Ireland will look to capitalise. A strong start will help to build momentum for the match, especially with the passion flowing from the home support.

Up against Australia though, they will be playing against a thinking rugby team, who are tactically aware of what the opposition are doing, and can find ways to change the game. The Aussies are considered to be the weakest of the Tri-Nations teams at the moment, finishing bottom of the group and struggling to keep up with South Africa and New Zealand. Ireland though have only beaten the Aussies 8 times in 27 attempts. This is probably the strongest Irish team for some time and likely to give Australia a real test on home soil. The Irish are strong up front, and if they can keep the ball in hand, they have the strength and technical ability to push a relatively young Australian pack backwards. The Irish have experience and enthusiasm. The Aussies have great natural, technical ability.

Ireland to win: 4/5 at SportingBet
Draw: 20/1 at Paddy Power
Australia: 20/8 at Stan James

Betting Advice: Even though the result for the Australia against England wasn’t a massive gap, this should be even closer. With a strong Munster and Leinster presence, this is an Irish team which are familiar with each other and can pull of a good win here.

England v Argentina
Twickenham
Saturday, November 14th
Kick Off: 2.30pm

The Pumas are the next visitors to Twickenham for England’s Autumn Test Series, with the South Americans having won two of the previous three encounters. Martin Johnson’s England started sprightly against Australia last weekend, but faded in imagination badly after the half time break. Things that were going well at the start, simply got stunted, with balls being thrown laterally and hardly any movement being made over the gain line. With the forwards not securing such good ball, and the backs hanging too far back instead of stepping up to give the Australian backs something to think about, Johnson has rung the changes. Four of them anyway.

What is most surprising about one major change for the England v Argentina match, is that prop Duncan Bell gets a start after a David Wilson, who started last weekend, picked up an injury. The most surprising part is Bell’s age. At 35 the veteran is more than unlikely to be making an appearance at the next World Cup, and critics are questioning whether Johnson should be blooding young talent instead. There is a lot to be said for building for the next World Cup right now, as these Autumn tests will give some indicators ahead of next year’s Six Nations tournament early in the year. Johnson however, has called up a rookie prop, Gloucester’s Paul Doran-Jones to the bench, so one supposes that the manager is trying to find a fine balance between building a team, and producing results to keep his job.

England, admittedly, are still a long way short of fielding what many would deem to be their best team, with injuries having ravaged the pack especially. Regular forward names such as Julian White, Andrew Sheridan, Jason Hobson, Phil Vickery, Alex Corbisiero and Dan Cole are all battling for fitness for reason or another, so Johnson has had to dig deep to find quality to fill out the pack. Bell is one of four changes that Martin Johnson has made to England. James Haskell comes in at number eight, after Jordan Crane, last weekend’s starter in that position, was released back to his club, Leicester.

Comeback hooker Steve Thompson, whose far-more-miraculous return to international rugby was overshadowed by that of poster boy Jonny Wilkinson’s, drops to be replaced by Dylan Harley, who is a young dynamic ball carrier. There has also been a change at the pivotal position of scrum half, the link between the back of the scrum and the backs. London Irish’s Paul Hodgson gets his first start in an England shirt there, with Danny Care being relegated, or, as Manager Johnson puts it, having gone to the bench where he can from to make an impact. So long as Hodgson makes a mess of things, one supposes.
 
The lack of pace in the second half against Australia, and not being able to keep up to the full level of Test rugby, are the main areas of focus in which Martin Johnson has been directing his comments. Some things were done well, but the entire team needs to have direction, consistency and some creativity when it counts, for 80 minutes of the match. Argentina are no pushovers, and are looking to prove themselves and further their global development, by joining the southern hemisphere’s Tri-Nations, which they should do in 2012 (as long as some conditions are met). Playing against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand will only enhance their prospects over time. Look how far Italy have developed since joining the Five Nations.

England’s best performers last week came from two of the more experienced heads. Captain Steve Borthwick led very well, something not always seen from him, and Johnny Wilkinson played with the most drive in the backs. Shane Geraghty also had a good game, at least from the point of view that he was scrapping to be inventive, even if it did not always go so well. So it is four changes for England from last weekend’s defeat against Australia. While that indicates that Johnson is fairly happy with the direction that his team may be taking, it is still a long way short of being on top of the world again.

England to win: 1/4 at 888Sport
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
Argentina to win: 4/1 at SportingBet

Betting Advice. Perhaps Johnson has called on the experience of Duncan Bell, because of the nature of the Argentinian game, which is focused on good scrimmaging. The Pumas are a powerful unit up front, and England need to be able to deal with the immense threat which will be posed in that area. Fernandez Lobbe has been named new skipper of the Pumas, who themselves have a blend of youth and experience, some the inexperience coming through forced changes because of injury. They will however, give England a big test, possibly more so up front than even Australia did. Don’t let the odds above fool you, this could be a really close, tough game.

England winning margin 1-12 points: 15/8 at Bet365

England v Argentina: Banahan, Bell, Borthwick (capt), Croft, Cueto, Deacon, Hartley, Haskell, Hipkiss, Hodgson, Geraghty, Monye, Moody, Payne, Wilkinson. Replacements: Thompson, Doran-Jones, Lawes, Worsley, Care, Goode, Erinle.  

The Rugby Union heavyweight contest between England and Australia, appears to be all about the return of hero Jonny Wilkinson. The match at Twickenham on Saturday, starts the series of Autumn Internationals for the home nation. England v Australia usually produces a classic encounter, with all of the players up for the task of taking on their bitter rivals. The Aussies have generally had the upper hand when it comes to the big scrum down, but England have pulled out the wins when it has mattered most. They triumphed in the unforgettable 2003 Rugby World Cup Final, and again at the 2007 World Cup semi quarter final stage. There is hardly a better sight in sport than watching the English pack demolish that of the Green and Gold.

For England v Australia betting advice ahead of Saturday’s game, Australia, despite having a couple of injury problems themselves, should be the stronger of the two nations. This is almost a back to square one mission for England manager Martin Johnson, as he looks to reshape English Rugby from the ground up. There is no better place to start than against one of the best teams in the world. England have been ravaged by injury problems, with up to eight probable starters falling victim to one problem or another. This has paved the way for youngsters to step up and show what they are made of, and put pressure on the more established senior players. This is the enthusiasm that Johnson will be looking for in the test, and they will need to settle quickly and learn to trust each other’s abilities.

The calming presence of Wilkinson is vital. He has beaten Australia the past six times he has actually been fit enough to play. The Aussies most vulnerable spot will come at centre, as Stirling Mortlock and Berrick Barnes, the regular pairing, are both missing. Australia will have Matt Giteau playing though, and that’s enough creativity to keep the England backs on the toes, especially full back Ugo Moyne who will be playing out of position there on Saturday. Last year’s Autumn Internationals were a tale of woe for the English, suffering heavy defeats in all three tests against the Tri Nations sides of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

Australia have a good record against England, but this is Twickenham, and it should be a riotous affair. England need to gel quickly and keep good control in the forwards, and build from there. One problem for England in the disappointing six nations earlier this year, was lack of quick ball from the breakdowns, and any creativity whatsoever. Martin Johnson believes that squad is in great mood, and are much better than at the beginning of the year. A good contest for England would be keeping the score to within 5 points, and is a good bet to look for. Australia to win by 1-5 points will fetch 5-1 at Coral

Here are the match prices and interesting bets:

England to win: 15/8 at SportingBet
Draw: 22/1 at ExtraBet
Australia to win: 4/7 at Paddy Power

Australia to win by 1-12 points: 7/4 at Bet365
England to win by 1-10 points: 3/1 at Ladbrokes

Johnny Wilkinson: 17 points or more 13/8 at SkyBet

AUTUM INTERNATIONALS
England v Australia: November 7
England v Argentina: November 14
England v New Zealand: November 21

How Many Games Will England win:
None: 11/2 at Ladbrokes
Exactly 1: 6/4 at Ladbrokes
Exactly 2: 11/8 at Paddy Power
Exactly 3: 12/1 at Paddy Power

Twickenham
Kick Off 2.30 pm

The Rugby Union Autumn Internationals kick off on Saturday, with the home nations taking on some of the best in the World. Martin Johnson’s England has been ravaged by injury, and there are a good seven or eight potential starters which have not even made the squad. This has thrown the selection doors wide open for fringe players and debutants. One famous name though has been selected for the first time since March 2008, and that is the irrepressible uber-hero Jonny Wilkinson. The legend that is Jonny Wilkinson has found a new lease of life this season with his new club, French side Toulon, where he has managed to stay free of injury. After being plagued for six years with injury after injury, Wilkinson has recently stated that he is better than he has ever been. Australia coach Robbie Deans has cited to the press, what a difference having to play against a team with Wilkinson in it will be.

Only three of the 2005 World Cup Winning side remain in the squad, with Wilkinson being one of them, Steve Thompson and Lewis Moody being the others. For followers of England Rugby, there may be a lot of unfamiliar names lining up to take the National Anthem at Twickenham on Saturday. As well as Jonny Wilkinson’s comeback is welcome, hooker Steve Thompson’s return to the full international fold is even more remarkable. After retiring from the game due to a neck injury in 2007 Thompson has rebuilt his career to reach the pinnacle again. The likes of Thompson and Wilkinson, who have bags of experience, will be vital components to balance the youngsters in the squad.

So much change has there been, that from the loss against Australia earlier in the year,  only four members of that team will be on display on Saturday. A lot of the changes have been enforced due to injury, but one would hope that coach Martin Johnson, an England legend in his own right, will be seeing this as the first building block towards the next World Cup. A lot of work has to be done between now and then, and it is a good chance to see how some youngsters are developing, and how they can cope with the pressures on the International stage. The longer that Johnson can keep a cohesive unit together, the stronger England will be.

There will be two debutants on show for England in the starting 15, that of Shane Geraghty, who has been impressive at centre for his club Northampton, and at the back of the pack there will be a new number eight, with Jordan Crane taking up the important role. Two new caps start on the bench, Courtney Lawes and Ayoola Erinle.

The pivotal scrum half shirt will be filled by Harlequins’ Danny Care, who has relegated Paul Hodgson to the bench, while inside centre will be filled by Northampton’s Shane Geraghty, who gets to play alongside Jonny Wilkinson. Geraghty has only made three appearances for England, all as substitute, but he is one of the raw youngsters who are up for the challenge, and will be looking to take their chance while more senior players are out injured.

After the Australia game, there will be two further tests for Martin Johnson’s England, against Argentina and New Zealand to follow over the coming weeks. Australia will be the stronger side, and it will be an immense test for the new look England. The Aussies finished bottom of the Tri-Nations table this year though with just one win, and will be looking to up the stakes of their own development. The home side will need to hear Swing Low Sweet Chariots echoing around the arena for that extra competitive lift, and with the Premiership in full flow, Johnson will be hoping at the very least, for a strong, competitive match, even if the win is out of sight.

England to win: 8/5 at 888Sport
Draw: 22/1 at Paddy Power
Australia to win: 4/7 at Bet365

Betting Tips:
Australia to win by 1-5 points – 5/1 at Coral
Jonny Wilkinson Match Points 17 or more: 13/8 at SkyBet

England Team: M Banahan (Bath), S Borthwick (Saracens, capt), D Care (Harlequins), J Crane (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), M Cueto (Sale Sharks), L Deacon (Leicester), S Geraghty (Northampton), D Hipkiss (Leicester), L Moody (Leicester), U Monye (Harlequins), T Payne (Wasps), S Thompson (Brive),  J Wilkinson (Toulon), D Wilson (Bath).

Replacements: D Bell (Bath), C Lawes (Northampton), A Erinle (Biarritz), A Goode (Brive),  D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell (Stade Francais), P Hodgson (London Irish).