It all kicks off this weekend again for four weeks of test rugby! So many questions need answering:
Is it two years too late for England as they finally get a shot at the AB's?
Can Ireland really put down a marker ahead of next years world cup?
Have the Bok's turned things around and are they a force to be reckoned with once again?
Will the Aussies have their worst tour ever?
Can one of the minnows score a big shock?
Here are the fixtures:
Saturday 3rd November
Japan v New Zealand 5.45am Tokyo
Wales v Scotland 2.45pm Cardiff
England v South Africa 3pm HQ
Ireland v Italy 8pm Chicago
Saturday 10th November
Italy v Georgia 2pm Florence
Scotland v Fiji 2.30pm Edinburgh
England v New Zealand 3pm HQ
Wales v Australia 5.20pm Cardiff
Ireland v Argentina 6.30pm Dublin
France v South Africa 8.05pm Paris
Saturday 17th November
Italy v Australia 2pm Padua
Wales v Tonga 2.30pm Cardiff
England v Japan 3pm HQ
Scotland v South Africa 5.20pm Edinburgh
Ireland v New Zealand 7pm Dublin
France v Argentina 8.05pm Lille
Saturday 24th November
Italy v New Zealand 2pm Rome
Scotland v Argentina 2.30pm Edinburgh
England v Australia 3pm HQ
Wales v South Africa 5.20pm Cardiff
Ireland v USA 6.30pm Dublin
France v Fiji 8.05pm Paris
2018 Autumn Internationals
posted on 20/11/18
Barry . Your boys were feckin awesome.
D'ya see yon Demus fella trying to wind me up? He knows fine that Argentina are a big test for us. I'm liking the games we've had this autumn. Allows us to learn a fair bit about ourselves.
posted on 21/11/18
Two tier 2 nations squaring off isn't a big game
posted on 21/11/18
comment by Aristodemus (U3765)
posted 5 minutes ago
Two tier 2 nations squaring off isn't a big game
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Interesting selection again by Toonie. Hastings at 10 and Russell at 12 with Jones at 13. Hogg, Kinghorn and Maitland in the back 3. Prepare for swashes to be buckled.
Impressed with Gregor this autumn. Has really moved things around to learn what his squad can do under 4 very different sets of circumstances. Lots learned for 2019.
posted on 21/11/18
All joking aside I'm not sure that 10-12-13 channel will be up for much defensive resistance. I'll still be picking Scotland to win I think.
posted on 21/11/18
Channel ye say.
Whatever happened to attack is the best firm of defence? Or maybe that's exactly what he wants to find out. You only find things out by experimenting.
In Toonie We Trust.
posted on 21/11/18
I see Ole Bumface is back as some kinda "leadership mentor". What's all that about then?
posted on 21/11/18
I think he is doing a great job too, ad he did at Glasgow. Maybe it will fire you guys along to a big win, I just have my doubts. Haven't seen much of Hastings since he left us but he is being backed that's for sure.
Not impressed by the Carling thing, could have picked loads of the WC side for that. They even have JW in the setup as it is! Jonno would have been perfect but that's never happening now.
posted on 22/11/18
Hoping Hastings is the real deal. Be good to have decent back up for Finn. Exciting times compared to what we're used to. God, when I think back to the days when forwards like Murray, Kellock and the Killer Bs won decent ball only to watch Blair or Cusiter pass it out to to$$ers like Parks, Morrison and Webster.
posted on 2/12/18
So what did you make of all that then chaps?
The Northern hemisphere seems to have staged something of a come back, but will this be yet another false dawn, before we’re put back in our box? You could probably make a half decent case fo New Zealand, Irelnd, Wales, England, South Africa and Australia as Wordl champions next year but who will do it? I do wonder slightly about the Springboks, who seem to have taken giant steps forward and though they perhaps didn’t finish well might have somehing of an advantge in teh heat and humidity of Japan - as might Australia
Elsewhere, in the England Australia game there was a stat showing Michael Hooper had taken more turnovers in 2018 than the next two highest players out together - in international rugby that is - what a player!
Finally, great to see the Barbarians win yesyerday and in such an entertaining game
Hope all is well with you guys!
posted on 5/12/18
Hey SARS, it was certainly a positive international window for the NH sides (except France!) and I think we all have good reason to feel confident going in to next year.
From an English POV I think big Joe made a good impact, and of course Wilson and Underhill may have led to Robshaw and Haskell not seeing another white jersey. For me the most positive player from the AI was Sinckler, I thought he was superb. I still prefer Brown at FB over Daly and prefer Ford/Farrell in the 10/12. Can Manu stay fit for a year? Will Binny get back to his best?
A very interesting 6N awaits, and we start with a nice easy trip to Dublin!