Steve Tandy heads into his first game as Wales coach confident he has done the right thing by recalling Louis Rees-Zammit to a replacement role rather than throwing the wing straight into the starting side for Sunday's clash with Argentina in Cardiff.

Rees-Zammit has been nursing a toe injury since being injured in his third game for English Prem side Bristol following an 18-month spell in American football at the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars that ended without him featuring in a senior NFL game.

The 24-year-old last played for Wales at the 2023 Rugby World Cup but could now come off the bench in an Autumn Nations Series opener against the Pumas at the Principality Stadium.

"There's always a temptation to start someone like Zammo, but we've got to do what's right by him and the group," said Tandy.

"Zammo's probably played two games in total since he's come back and then he's had an injury. It's his first full training week, which has been awesome.

"He's been doing some running and he's been ticking the boxes in lots of the physical aspects, but then you've got (wings) Tommy (Rogers) and Jadzi (Josh Adams) who've trained really well. We've got two boys who are match fit and will give us something.

"Bringing Zammo off the bench does add a massive opportunity to add impact to the game."

Tandy has made seven changes from the side which ended Wales' record run of 18 consecutive test defeats in Japan in July.

Wales have slipped to 12th in the world rankings ahead of a November programme that also includes fixtures against Japan, New Zealand and world champions South Africa.

'BIG BOYS'

Argentina, sixth in the global standings, are renowned for their forward strength but also boast an increasingly dynamic back division.

The Pumas recorded wins over Australia and New Zealand during the recent Rugby Championship, and lost to eventual southern hemisphere champions South Africa by only two points in the final game at Twickenham last month.

"There's some big boys out there," Tandy said of Argentina's pack. "We can't change our physical attributes but we have got some big aggressive boys as well."

Sunday's match sees Tandy returning to the scene, nearly 40 years ago, of his stint as a ball boy for club side Tonmawr.

Tandy's father Peter was Tonmawr coach at the old National Stadium in 1986 when the village team – some four miles east of Neath – beat Cardiff side CIACS to win the Welsh Brewers Cup, a competition featuring the smaller district clubs in Wales.

It was a key staging post in a rugby journey that saw Tandy play as a flanker for Neath and the Ospreys before coaching stints in Australia, Scotland and Wales.

"I was the ball boy (in the Cardiff final), my dad was the coach, and it was Tonmawr's invincible season," Tandy recalled.

And while Tandy never won a Wales cap, his early experiences of being coached to be "energised and enjoy my rugby" have informed his career.

"When the boys go out there on Sunday, I want them to play with a little bit of freedom and not worry about every mistake," he said. "I'd rather them worry about what they can do."

Ardie Savea says New Zealand will be driven by a desire to maintain an unbeaten record against Scotland when the teams meet at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The All Blacks have won 30 of 32 clashes between the two teams in a fixture that dates back 120 years. The Scots' best results in all that time two Murrayfield draws: 0-0 in 1964 and a 25-25 thriller in 1983.

In recent years, New Zealand have suffered first-ever defeats to the likes of Argentina and Ireland.

Savea, who is taking over as All Blacks' captain in Edinburgh in the absence of the injured Scott Barrett, is in no mood to make more unwanted history this weekend.

"You don't want to be the first team (to lose to Scotland), so that puts us on edge a bit," Savea told reporters on Friday. "We also understand Scotland's mindset as well and how much it will mean to them tomorrow. It builds appropriate fear and we don't want that to happen.

"We've prepared well, done what we can do through the week, now it's just about turning up and playing."

Back-row forward Savea played in the last meeting between the teams when New Zealand came from 23-14 behind after an hour to win 31-23 in 2022.

"It's an amazing place to play," he said of Murrayfield. "Scotland are a quality side. The last three games we've played it's been within eight points."

"They've got some world-class players in their team, so that poses a threat. We've just got to turn up and nail our game."

Murrayfield awaits 🔥

Sat 08 3:10pm (GMT) | Sun 09 4:10am (NZT) pic.twitter.com/MSJe8V0Rtg

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 5, 2025

New Zealand opened their Autumn International campaign by beating Ireland 26-13 in Chicago last weekend.

One of the threats they face on Saturday is Scotland fly-half Finn Russell, one of the leading playmakers in rugby union today.

"I don't know if there's a way (to stop him)," Savea said. "It's the beauty of a world-class player like Finn, he's unpredictable. He does things no other players can do and I don't think we can prepare.

"We've just got to nail our stuff in what we do and just try and shut his time down. He's a world-class player and I'm really looking forward to playing against him."

Fiji coach Mick Byrne believes a landmark 2023 win means his side will be in confident mood when they face England at Twickenham in an Autumn Nations Series international on Saturday.

The Pacific islanders' last visit to Twickenham, two years ago, saw them emerge 30-22 winners as they beat England for the first time in eight attempts.

Two months later, they pushed England agonisingly close before losing 30-24 in a Rugby World Cup quarterfinal in Marseille.

"Sometimes there are different personnel out on the field, but the fact that we've been there on that big stage at Twickenham and then in the quarterfinal, it means we've been there before," Byrne said.

"It takes away that element of players being overawed by the occasion, which keeps a real good focus on our ability to play our game."

Fiji have several attacking threats, notably the centre pairing of Josua Tuisova and Kalaveti Ravouvou.

Tuisova, nicknamed the "Human Bulldozer", is a powerful ball-running inside centre while Bristol's Ravouvou is blessed with exceptional speed and agility.

"It's an exciting combination, especially when you watch them work together on the training track," Byrne said. "Kalaveti's grown enormously since I first had him at the Drua (Fiji's Super Rugby team) and his professionalism has grown.

"It's a credit to (director of rugby) Pat Lam and Bristol for the growth they've been able to get with Kalaveti. His game awareness is very strong, so having him in the middle with Josua gives us a nice, physical combination.

"They're both quality players and they run strong and run hard at the line, which is what we like."

Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi said the Pumas' schedule has been a "challenge" ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series international against Wales in Cardiff on Sunday.

Contepomi named a matchday 23 that has more than 900 caps between them following a Rugby Championship where Argentina again made their presence felt.

Although the Pumas finished bottom of the Southern-Hemisphere competition, they recorded impressive wins over Australia and New Zealand and only lost by two points to eventual champions South Africa in the final game at Twickenham last month

"It has been a challenge because many of our guys came through the Rugby Championship, went straight into club rugby, had a camp with us, went back to their clubs and now play this weekend," Contepomi said ahead of this weekend's clash at the Principality Stadium.

"But we won't use that as an excuse. We had some injuries but we are happy with the whole group that we have here.

"I would be very confident with playing any of the 32 that are training with us."

Former Leicester hooker Julian Montoya is set to win his 115th cap and leads a powerful pack, in which flanker Pablo Matera will make his 119th appearance.

Argentina will be favourites to beat a Wales side that only ended a record run of 18 successive Test defeats with victory over Japan in Kobe in July.

Contepomi expects Wales to be competitive in coach Steve Tandy's first match in charge of the national side.

"They have a very good coaching ticket with Steve Tandy, Danny Wilson, Matt Sherratt, plus Dan Lydiate and Duncan Jones, so I expect them to be a very knowledgeable team," said the former Pumas playmaker.

"We admire Wales' passion and how they never give up. They live and breathe rugby, so we are expecting a highly motivated team in one of the best stadiums in the world.

"We are expecting a very, very tough encounter because Wales are highly motivated to start a new era well and they are a team with quality throughout their 23."

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu says self-belief holds the key to the team's quest to mark 100 years of Murrayfield with a long-awaited first win over rugby giants New Zealand on Saturday.

The Scots have never beaten New Zealand in 32 attempts over the past 120 years, with their best results two Murrayfield draws -- 0-0 in 1964 and a 25-25 thriller in 1983.

Australia-born skipper Tuipulotu needs no reminding of the significance of a victory over the All Blacks on a day when Scotland wear their 'Murrayfield 100' kit designed specially to commemorate the centenary of the national rugby stadium in Edinburgh.

"It's massive," he said. "When I was growing up in Australia there weren't many times we beat the All Blacks, but now I'm over here we understand how big an occasion this is. I still think the All Blacks are a big part of this sport and playing them is always a massive opportunity.

"I think the feeling in the changing room is excitement to go out and play these guys. We understand what type of team they are and what they bring but we also understand the type of team we are and what we've been building towards."

Tuipulotu added: "I spoke to the boys before about how there are 60,000 people coming to the stadium to watch us and it'd be a damn shame if we don't believe.

"I think that's the most important thing, that when we run out of the tunnel that I look around and I see 22 other guys that believe we can win this fixture.

"It's also 100 years of Murrayfield –- we're wearing this (shirt) to commemorate all the people that have played before us in this jersey so it's bigger than the record against New Zealand, it's also the history of Murrayfield that we're thinking about."

Tuipulotu is preparing to play for Scotland for the first time in almost a year after missing the Six Nations due to injury and the ensuing tour due his involvement in the British and Irish Lions' series win in Australia.

The centre hopes painful memories of Scotland's last match against New Zealand in 2022, when they led 23-14 before losing 31-23 can yet prove beneficial to his side, with 10 survivors from that match in coach Gregor Townsend's matchday 23 this weekend.

"I think it's more just the experience, being a little bit more battle-hardened and understanding that around 60-70 minutes if we're good enough, that the game will be up for grabs," said Tuipulotu.

"There are lessons we've learnt maybe during the Six Nations over the past couple of years and also last autumn against Australia and South Africa of where we need to be.

"I think that's the most important thing, of the group knowing what it's going to take, and it's going to be up to us to deliver on that tomorrow (Saturday)."

Ellis Genge has told England to prepare themselves for a physical battle against Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday.

The Pacific Islanders are the lowest-ranked side England will face in their four Autumn Nations Series rugby internationals this month.

Fiji, however, upset the odds to win 30-22 at Twickenham two years ago before suffering an agonising 30-24 World Cup quarter-final loss to Steve Borthwick's men two months later in Marseille.

Fiji have long been regarded as one of the more cheerful teams in world rugby. But prop forward Genge, who will captain England for the third time this weekend, cited his Bristol team-mate Viliame Mata as an example of how Fijian appearances can be deceptive.

"I said to our forwards when we finished our mauling session on Thursday, typically at the club Fijians are the ones who are always laughing, joking," explained Genge.

"Every Fijian I have ever played... they're brilliant, brilliant people. They're very laid back and very casual about things.

"But don't be fooled. Bill Mata is a nasty piece of work when he's on the pitch. I play with him, I love watching him melt people for Bristol and I am sure he's going to try to do the same to me this weekend."

Genge added: "I just made it clear to the boys that, although these people grow up on beaches throwing a rugby ball about and they're lovely people, they are very nasty to play against.

"Obviously I did not want any of the boys to be shocked by that and the physical battle of attrition that is going to come.

"There's not a rich history of England v Fiji matches, but the bottom line is they beat us last time we played at Twickenham, so there's a bit there."

Defeat by Fiji represented a low point in England's rugby union history, with Genge determined to avoid a repeat as his side look to build on last week's 25-7 win over Australia ahead of further Twickenham encounters with New Zealand and Argentina.

"It hurt," recalled Genge. "It was the first time they'd ever beaten us at Twickenham. Mental. And I was a part of it. It feels like I've been a part of a lot of heartache."

England, however, recovered quickly from that warm-up reverse, with Genge saying: "Looking forward, it was a long time ago and it probably made us better because we went out and put together one of our best performances at the World Cup against Argentina with 14 men."

Ireland captain Caelan Doris said on Friday he is "mentally stronger" after a six-month enforced break that included having to sit out the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia because of a shoulder injury.

The 27-year-old No 8 makes his first start since recovering from the injury when he leads out his side at Lansdowne Road on Saturday against Japan.

The Leinster star says he "loves" being back in the national set-up and warmed up for the Japan game by coming on as a replacement in the 26-13 defeat by New Zealand in Chicago last Saturday.

"I feel good, definitely feel fresh after quite a long summer," he said at his eve-of-match press conference.

"Kind of took my mind off rugby for a little while. Yeah, I feel mentally stronger."

Doris, who skippered the Irish to the 2024 Six Nations title, said he had taken himself off to the United States while the Lions were winning their series with the Wallabies.

"The second two (Tests) I was doing a bit of a retreat and a digital detox so I didn't have access to the games, but obviously watched them in retrospect," he said.

"It was a funny one because there's obviously the pain of it, but also some of my best mates were over there playing.

"So, I was keen to keep an eye on it at the same time."

Doris has in the past drawn on what he has learned growing up with psychotherapist parents – he himself has a psychology degree – in how he prepares for matches and said a retreat was an ideal way of developing his mental awareness.

"I suppose kind of separating who I am from what I do was a bit of an overarching goal for the period and kind of building more self-awareness and exploration around that kind of thing," he said.

Doris remarked that this sort of soul-searching is impossible when one is playing non-stop.

"It's definitely hard to do when you're playing because it is all encompassing, but that's why I saw this as an opportunity to step away for the first few months in particular and I found it pretty beneficial," he said.

The Irish should brush aside the Japanese, who come into the game on the back of a 61-7 hammering by world champions South Africa.

However, Doris and his team face tougher challenges the following two weekends against Australia and then the Springboks.

Some people have suggested the Irish are on the wane with several players showing their age and a shadow of the outstanding side that achieved the 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam.

Doris admits some performances have been below par but believes Ireland are far from a spent force.

"There have been some positives over the last year or two, we've had some big wins and some big performances but probably been inconsistent," he said.

"There's no lack of belief or doubt in our potential and in what we can do.

"It's just about gettting out and delivering on it."

Wales have put returning wing Louis Rees-Zammit on the bench for Sunday’s test against Argentina but given prop forward Rhys Carre a first start in more than two years as new coach Steve Tandy named his first side on Friday.

Carre will start at loosehead having not played since 2023 as he was previously ineligible under the Welsh Rugby Union's selection policy because he has 20 caps, five short of the required number for those playing with clubs outside Wales.

This has been lifted for him to make a return as Wales begin a new era under their new coach, having had a torrid run of results over the last 24 months.

Rees-Zammit is also set for his first game for Wales since the 2023 World Cup in France, after his return from the US where he was trying to break into the NFL.

The 24-year-old has made a handful of appearances for the Bristol Bears since his return to rugby at the start of the season.

After 32 caps for Wales, and playing for the British & Irish Lions in 2021, he had spells with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars, although did not play a competitive game in the NFL before signing for Bristol in August.

Also on the bench, back-rower Olly Cracknell is set to come off for a first cap. The 31-year-old was a late addition to the squad for the November internationals in place of veteran Taulupe Faletau.

Tandy has made seven changes in all from the Wales side that beat Japan in July to end a record 18-match losing run.

"I just want to see that squad go out there and express themselves on Sunday and enjoy every moment of representing the country in such a unique and special jersey," he said.

After the Argentina clash, Wales play Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa all in Cardiff this month.

SQUAD: 15-Blair Murray, 14-Tom Rogers, 13-Max Llewellyn, 12-Ben Thomas, 11-Josh Adams, 10-Dan Edwards, 9-Tomos Williams, 8-Aaron Wainwright, 7-Jac Morgan (captain), 6-Alex Mann, 5-Adam Beard, 4-Dafydd Jenkins, 3-Keiron Assiratti, 2-Dewi Lake, 1-Rhys Carre

REPLACEMENTS: 16-Liam Belcher, 17-Nicky Smith, 18-Archie Griffin, 19-Freddie Thomas, 20-Olly Cracknell, 21-Kieran Hardy, 22-Jarrod Evans, 23-Louis Rees-Zammit

Japan coach Eddie Jones has no doubt Ireland can come through a "difficult little period" under Andy Farrell but warned it may take time.

Ireland started their Autumn Nations Series campaign with a dispiriting 26-13 loss to New Zealand in Chicago last weekend, a defeat that followed the end of their two-year reign as Six Nations champions in March.

Recent results have led to fears a golden era for Irish rugby union may be finishing following several wins over the All Blacks, including a triumphant 2022 tour of New Zealand, and spells at the top of the world rankings.

But veteran coach Jones, whose Japan side face Farrell's men in Dublin on Saturday, tried to put Ireland's form in perspective.

"No one in Ireland wants Ireland to lose, and so the expectation is to win every game; when they lose a game, it's a calamity," said Jones after naming his team to play Ireland on Thursday. "It's the first time I've read the (Irish) papers for a while and I've been reading it's a crisis in Irish rugby."

The Australian added: "But you're still top four in the world – 20 years ago you came on a European tour and Ireland was the easiest game of the tour. The change in Irish rugby has been absolutely extraordinary.

"You're going through this difficult little period now, which I think you've just got to accept and the young players will come through but they all need time in the saddle."

JONES HAILS FARRELL

Jones, whose Japan team were thrashed 61-7 by world champions South Africa at London's Wembley Stadium last weekend, also pointed to the recent retirements of former captains Johnny Sexton and Peter O'Mahony and several other senior players as a possible explanation for Ireland's dip in form.

Farrell was dismissed from England's backroom staff after Jones succeeded the sacked Stuart Lancaster as Red Rose head coach following the team's first-round exit on home soil at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

But Jones hailed the impact made by Farrell, a former international in both rugby league and union, in an Ireland career which started as an assistant to Joe Schmidt.

"I've been really impressed by him," Jones said of Farrell. "He was always going to be a good coach. He had that feel for the game, a good personality, good character, tough but engaging.

"The way that he took over from Joe - and probably the first 12 months was quite difficult – he's done an absolutely fantastic job.

"Now comes the next test: how do you adjust the team, because you've got a new team you need to create?

"It will be a good test for him but he'll handle it."

Steve Borthwick hopes the return of Marcus Smith will give England's attack a greater cutting edge against Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday.

Smith is one of seven changes to the starting XV that launched England's Autumn Nations Series campaign with a 25-7 win at home to Australia last weekend.

Fin Smith starts at fly-half in place of George Ford, with Ollie Lawrence returning at outside centre after recovering from Achilles tendon surgery.

Ellis Genge captains England with regular skipper Maro Itoje confined to a bench role following what England described as "a lower limb injury".

Meanwhile, Marcus Smith, who failed to make the matchday 23 against Australia, is recalled at full-back. Smith, primarily a fly-half, replaces Freddie Steward, who has a hand injury

England failed to turn much of their pressure against the Wallabies into points, a problem Borthwick hopes will be rectified by 26-year-old Harlequins playmaker Marcus Smith's kicking and running game.

"I'm really hopeful there that we'll see Marcus in space in unstructured opportunities," said England coach Borthwick after naming his team to play Fiji on Thursday.

"Everybody in the stadium is going to be excited when that ball comes into his hands in a bit of space."

The former England captain added: "He's a brilliant player. You see him out there at the end of training, he's always working to add to his game. He's hungry and he's exciting. That's what I want to see from him on Saturday.

"Last weekend we had opportunities, but unfortunately we didn't convert them. We've been working on that this week to make sure we support on line break situations, finish and get the points on the board."

Flyhalf Caleb Muntz will steer a potent Fiji backline after coach Mick Byrne named his side to face hosts England in their Autumn International series fixture at Twickenham on Saturday.

The majority of the team play for Fijian Drua in Super Rugby Pacific, but Byrne has a smattering of European-based players available to add considerable experience.

New Zealand-born Muntz forms a halfback pairing with scrumhalf Simione Kuruvoli, and they will look to fire a big backline full of hard-running ball carriers that will test England’s defence.

Racing 92 centre Josua Tuisova and Kalaveti Ravouvou from Bristol Bears are the midfield pairing, while the back three is made up of Toulon wing Jiuta Wainiqolo, Selestino Ravutaumada, and Bordeaux fullback Salesi Rayasi.

Hooker Tevita Ikanivere will have Saracens prop Eroni Mawi and Mesake Doge either side of him, while Isoa Nasilasila and Temo Mayanavanua make up the second row.

Kitione Salawa and Elia Canakaivata are the two flankers, with Bristol Bears’ Viliame Mata at No 8.

Fiji are playing their first test since they defeated Japan 33-27 to lift the Pacific Nations Cup in September.

The islanders won 30-22 in their last visit to Twickenham in 2023, but have lost their eight other meetings with England.

FIJI TEAM:

15-Salesi Rayasi, 14-Selestino Ravutaumada, 13-Kalaveti Ravouvou, 12-Josua Tuisova, 11-Jiuta Wainiqolo, 10-Caleb Muntz, 9-Simione Kuruvoli, 8-Viliame Mata, 7-Elia Canakaivata, 6-Kitione Salawa, 5-Temo Mayanavanua, 4-Isoa Nasilasila, 3-Mesake Doge, 2-Tevita Ikanivere, 1-Eroni Mawi.

Replacements: 16-Zuriel Togiatama, 17-Haereiti Hetet, 18-Samuela Tawake, 19-Mesake Vocevoce, 20-Motikai Murray, 21-Sam Wye, 22-Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 23-Sireli Maqala.

Munster centre Tom Farrell will make his debut for Ireland in their Autumn Nations Series test with Japan after head coach Andy Farrell made eight changes to the starting XV beaten 26-13 by New Zealand last Saturday.

The 32-year-old Tom Farrell – who is no relation to the coach – will on Saturday become the oldest man to make his Irish debut since Nathan White in 2015, who was two weeks away from turning 34.

Tom Farrell was not in the original series squad, but such has been his form for his province that Andy Farrell has named him to replace Garry Ringrose, who is rested.

"Tom (Farrell) becomes our latest debutant and his is a real Roy of the Rovers story when you look at his journey in the game to this point," said Andy Farrell.

"Tom has worked really hard to earn the right to represent his country, and I know how proud he is to be involved this weekend after knocking on the selection door for the last few seasons.

"In congratulating him on his selection, I would like to wish Tom the best of luck."

The experienced Robbie Henshaw will partner him in midfield – Stuart McCloskey, who started against the All Blacks has a groin issue – while Caelan Doris returns to the starting line-up at No 8 and resumes the captaincy role.

The Ireland XV team to face Spain this Saturday! 🟢 pic.twitter.com/F6aS4SlzHC

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 6, 2025

Doris missed the British and Irish Lions tour after undergoing shoulder surgery and made his first appearance of the season off the bench against the All Blacks in Chicago.

Hooker Ronan Kelleher, prop Thomas Clarkson and flanker Nick Timoney are the other changes in the scrum.

Tadhg Beirne is free to team up again in the second row with James Ryan after he had his red card from the All Blacks match rescinded earlier this week.

Scrum-half Craig Casey and injury-prone wing Jacob Stockdale come in for New Zealand-born duo Jamison Gibson-Park and James Lowe respectively in the backs.

Casey forms an all-Munster half-back partnership with Jack Crowley, who retains the fly-half starting spot ahead of Sam Prendergast.

Prendergast, who looked to have sealed the first-choice fly-half role during this year's Six Nations, has to make do with a spot on the replacements bench, like his older brother Cian, who is a flanker.

Ireland will start as hot favourites to gain a morale-boosting win ahead of far tougher opponents in Australia, coached by former Irish boss Joe Schmidt, and South Africa.

The Springboks' only defeat on their way to successfully defending their World Cup title in 2023 was to the Irish in the pool stage.

Japan coach Eddie Jones has resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes to the team thrashed 61-7 by the Springboks at Wembley last weekend, with scrum-half Naoto Saito replacing the benched Shinobu Fujiwara.

Former skipper Michael Leitch is also among the replacements, with Faulua Makisi taking his place at No 8, while Epineri Uluiviti comes in for Jack Cornelsen in the second row.

TEAMS (15-1)

IRELAND

Jamie Osborne; Tommy O'Brien, Tom Farrell, Robbie Henshaw, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Caelan Doris (capt), Nick Timoney, Ryan Baird; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Thomas Clarkson, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter

Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Paddy McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Cian Prendergast, Jack Conan, Caolin Blade, Sam Prendergast, Jimmy O'Brien

Coach: Andy Farrell (ENG)

JAPAN

Yoshitaka Yazaki; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Charlie Lawrence, Tomoki Osada; Seungsin Lee, Naoto Saito; Faulua Makisi, Kanji Shimokawa, Ben Gunter; Warner Dearns (capt), Epineri Uluiviti; Shuhei Takeuchi, Kenji Sato, Kenta Kobayashi

Replacements: Shodai Hirao, Ryosuke Iwaihara, Keijiro Tamefusa, Jack Cornelsen, Michael Leitch, Shinobu Fujiwara, Shinya Komura, Yuya Hirose

Coach: Eddie Jones (AUS)

Ange Capuozzo and Paolo Garbisi will make their Italy returns against Australia after missing out on summer action, with the pair selected on Thursday for the Azzurri's clash with the Wallabies this weekend.

Toulouse back Capuozzo suffered a broken fibula in June, costing him the summer tour of South Africa, where Italy lost twice to the Springboks.

Toulon playmaker Garbisi also missed that tour but will start at fly-half on Saturday in Udine, where he will be joined in the halves by Exeter Chiefs' Stephen Varney.

Flanker Michele Lamaro, who usually captains Italy, misses out on the match at the Bluenergy Stadium after picking up a thigh injury in training.

Italy's rugby federation (FIR) did not say for how long Lamaro would be out of action, with the visit of world champions South Africa coming up in Turin on 15 November.

The FIR said Lamaro would be returning to his club Benetton Treviso where the 27-year-old will follow a "recovery plan which aims to get him back in action as soon as possible".

The captain's armband has been given to Juan Ignacio Brex, who lines up in the centre alongside Tommasso Menoncello.

 

La formazione scelta dal C.T. Gonzalo #Quesada in vista del primo match delle @QuilterNations contro l'Australia 👇#ITAvAUS 🇮🇹🇦🇺
📆 Sabato 8 Novembre
⏰ 18:40
🏟 Bluenergy Stadium, Udine
📺 @SkySport 1 ▪ @RaiSport ▪ @NOWTV_It ▪ @RaiPlay

🎟 @TicketOneIT #QNS | #QuilterNS pic.twitter.com/DouMrKl3Gk

— Italrugby (@Federugby) November 6, 2025

 

ITALY TEAM (15-1)

Ange Capuozzo; Louis Lynagh, Juan Ignacio Brex (capt), Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Lorenzo Cannone, Manuel Zuliani, Ross Vintcent; Andrea Zambonin, Niccolo Cannone; Simone Ferrari, Giacomo Nicotera, Danilo Fischetti

Replacements:

Tommaso DI Bartolomeo, Mirco Spagnolo, Marco Riccioni, Federico Ruzza, Alessandro Izekor, Martin Page-Relo, Tommaso Allan, Leonardo Marin

Coach: Gonzalo Quesada

Marcus Smith has been recalled at full-back as one of seven changes to England's starting 15 for Saturday's rugby international against Fiji at Twickenham.

Smith, primarily a fly-half, was left out of the matchday 23 entirely as England launched their Autumn Nations Series campaign with a 25-7 win at home to Australia.

George Ford started at fly-half against the Wallabies, with Fin Smith providing fly-half cover off the bench.

But with full-back Freddie Steward struggling with a hand injury suffered against Australia, Harlequins playmaker Marcus Smith is now back in the team wearing the No 15 shirt with Fin Smith starting at fly-half.

Ellis Genge will lead the team as one of two co-captains, the second being regular skipper Maro Itoje, who is named on the bench for the first time since 2017.

Only six players who started against Australia are in the same positions this weekend, with Tommy Freeman moving to the wing from centre and Ben Earl moving across from No 8 to openside flanker.

Earl's back-row switch means Chandler Cunningham-South makes his first test start at No 8 as England coach Steve Borthwick looks to build positional depth ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia following Tom Willis's decision to leave England to join French side Bordeaux-Begles next season.

Fiji are due to name their team later Thursday.

England beat Fiji 30-24 in a tense 2023 World Cup quarterfinal in Marseille, having lost to the Pacific islanders for the first time just weeks earlier in a pre-tournament warm-up game at Twickenham.

ENGLAND TEAM (15-1)

Marcus Smith; Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Fraser Dingwall, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Chandler Cunningham-South, Ben Earl, Guy Pepper; Ollie Chessum, Alex Coles; Joe Heyes, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge (co-capt)

Replacements: Jamie George, Fin Baxter, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Maro Itoje (co-capt), Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Ben Spencer, Henry Arundell

Coach: Steve Borthwick (ENG)

France head coach Fabien Galthie said on Thursday that South Africa are "perhaps the best team ever" as he named La Rochelle scrum-half Nolann Garrec as Antoine Dupont's stand-in for this weekend's Autumn Nations Series game in Paris.

Le Garrec will make his 14th test appearance against the four-time Rugby World Cup winners on Saturday with superstar Dupont out since March with a serious knee issue.

Dupont has been training with the squad this week but will only return to action with Toulouse in December.

Since lifting back-to-back Webb Ellis trophies in 2023, the Springboks have lost just four times in 23 fixtures.

"They are perhaps the best that has ever existed in the world," Galthie told reporters.

"It's the most difficult challenge this current generation has ever faced, we've never played such a good team.

"They're the best team we've played in six years without a doubt," said the 56-year-old who took over in 2020.

Le Garrec, 23, will start a game alongside Toulouse's Romain Ntamack at half-back for the first time, with Maxime Lucu the scrum-half option among the substitutes.

Galthie has kept just nine names from the matchday squad from the last time the sides met, when the Springboks won the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal on the way to their fourth Webb Ellis trophy.

Racing 92 centre Gael Fickou, who captained France on the summer tour of New Zealand, continues with the armband in the absence of Dupont.

Fickou, who will win his 97th cap, is partnered in midfield by Toulouse's Pierre-Louis Barassi with Bordeaux-Begles' Yoram Moefana suffering from a shoulder issue.

"He's in form," Galthie said of Fickou.

"He's done his pre-season to be in such good form that we've rarely seen from him.

"It's logical for us to name him captain," he added.

ALLDRITT OUT

However, La Rochelle No 8 Gregory Alldritt, who led the side to March's Six Nations crown, is out of the matchday squad with Lyon's Mickael Guillard preferred in the back row.

"He has played a lot with us and his club over the past four years," Galthie said of Alldritt.

"We also have to rotate to try and develop the team and competition in the team by allowing players to recover, physically and mentally," he added.

Props Baptiste Erdocio and Regis Montagne are in line for just their third test appearances with tightheads Uini Atonio and Tevita Tatafu injured, and loosehead Cyril Baille still making his way back to fitness.

The French Top 14's leading try scorer this season, Louis Bielle-Biarrey starts on the wing with his Bordeaux-Begles teammate Damian Penaud on the other flank.

Toulouse hooker Guillaume Cramont is set for his international debut from the bench having impressed this season for the Top 14 league leaders.

FRANCE TEAM (15-1)

Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Gael Fickou (capt), Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Romain Ntamack, Nolann Le Garrec; Mickael Guillard, Anthony Jelonch, Paul Boudehent; Emmanuel Meafou, Thibaud Flament; Regis Montagne, Julien Marchand, Baptiste Erdocio

Replacements: Guillaume Cramont, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, Hugo Auradou, Romain Taofifenua, Oscar Jegou, Maxime Lucu, Nicolas Depoortere

Coach: Fabien Galthie (FRA)

Scotland's Kyle Steyn will start on the wing against New Zealand in their Autumn International series fixture on Saturday as they celebrate 100 years of playing at Murrayfield and seek a first-ever win over the All Blacks.

Scotland thumped the United States 85-0 last weekend and barely raised a sweat, but have made several changes for the clash with New Zealand, who they have only met five times in the last 17 years.

Steyn will partner fellow wing Darcy Graham and fullback Blair Kinghorn in the back three, with Rory Hutchinson to partner the experienced Sione Tuipulotu in the centres.

Tuipulotu's duel with New Zealand rival Leicester Fainga’anuku will be one of the key battles to watch.

Finn Russell and Ben White resume their half-back pairing, having started all five matches in this year’s Six Nations.

Ewan Ashman is at hooker with props Pierre Schoeman and D’Arcy Rae either side of him, while Scott Cummings and Grant Gilchrist make up the second row.

Jack Dempsey is at No 8, with Gregor Brown and Matt Fagerson on either flank.

New Zealand have won 30 of their 32 matches against Scotland to go with two draws since the teams first met in 1905.

 

Our team taking on the @AllBlacks this weekend 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿#AsOne pic.twitter.com/pFxEhhsnOF

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) November 6, 2025

 

SCOTLAND TEAM

15-Blair Kinghorn, 14-Darcy Graham, 13-Rory Hutchinson, 12-Sione Tuipulotu (captain), 11-Kyle Steyn, 10-Finn Russell, 9-Ben White, 8-Jack Dempsey, 7-Matt Fagerson, 6-Gregor Brown, 5-Grant Gilchrist, 4-Scott Cummings, 3-D’Arcy Rae, 2-Ewan Ashman, 1-Pierre Schoeman

Replacements: 16-George Turner, 17-Rory Sutherland, 18-Elliot Millar Mills, 19-Marshall Sykes, 20-Rory Darge, 21-Josh Bayliss, 22-Jamie Dobie, 23-Tom Jordan

Resurgent Munster centre Tom Farrell will make his Ireland debut against Japan on Saturday, six years after his only other unsuccessful call-up to the national squad in what coach Andy Farrell described as a "Roy of the Rovers" journey.

Captain Caelan Doris will also start for the first time since undergoing surgery six months ago. The influential No 8 looked sharp off the bench against New Zealand last Saturday before Ireland fell away badly to a 26-13 defeat.

The late-blooming Farrell, 32, has been in superb form for Munster this season but was only included in the squad for the November internationals as a late injury replacement.

"(Tom's) is a real Roy of the Rovers story when you look at his journey in the game to this point," Andy Farrell said, referring to the football character from the old British comic strip who overcame the odds on a regular basis.

"Tom has worked really hard to earn the right to represent his country and I know how proud he is to be involved this weekend after knocking on the selection door for the last few seasons."

Among the six other changes from the All Blacks defeat, Nick Timoney gets a rare opportunity next to Doris in the back row, having won just four caps since his debut in 2021.

His Ulster teammate Jacob Stockdale, Ireland's sixth-highest all-time try scorer following a blistering start to his career, also features for only the third time in over two years.

Ronan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson and Craig Casey will give breathers to Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong and Jamison Gibson-Park, while Robbie Henshaw comes in at centre for Stuart McCloskey, who picked up a knock in an impressive outing last Saturday.

Ireland will complete their run of internationals against Australia and South Africa later this month.

 

Tom Farrell will start on his @IrishRugby debut against Japan on Saturday 🙌

Tadhg Beirne, Craig Casey & Jack Crowley are also named in the starting XV 💪

Full team news: https://t.co/CNUMq9cUvr#SUAF ☘️ pic.twitter.com/ME6YaVhiS5

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) November 6, 2025

 

Team:

15-Jamie Osborne, 14-Tommy O'Brien, 13-Tom Farrell 12-Robbie Henshaw, 11-Jacob Stockdale, 10-Jack Crowley, 9-Craig Casey, 8-Caelan Doris, 7-Nick Timoney, 6-Ryan Baird, 5-Tadhg Beirne, 4-James Ryan, 3-Thomas Clarkson, 2-Ronan Kelleher, 1-Andrew Porter

Replacements: 16-Gus McCarthy, 17-Paddy McCarthy, 18-Finlay Bealham, 19-Cian Prendergast, 20-Jack Conan, 21-Caolin Blade, 22-Sam Prendergast, 23-Jimmy O'Brien

Australia flyhalf Carter Gordon will play his first test since the 2023 Rugby World Cup after being named in the starting XV for the Autumn International series clash with Italy in Udine on Saturday.

Gordon has returned to rugby union after a short stint in rugby league and recently signed a contract with the Reds through to 2028, making him a prospect to represent Australia at the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.

He will partner namesake scrumhalf Jake Gordon in what has been a problem position for coach Joe Schmidt in recent times due to injury and players being unavailable for selection. Tane Edmed drops to the bench for this week.

Hooker Matt Faessler will feature for the side for the first time since the British & Irish Lions series in July and packs down with props Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou.

Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams continue in the second row, with Harry Wilson at No 8 and Tom Hooper and Fraser McReight the two flankers.

Hunter Paisami and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii are the centre pairing, with Harry Potter and Corey Toole the two wings, the latter for the rested Max Jorgensen. Andrew Kellaway has been named at fullback.

Australia, whose only loss to Italy in 10 previous meetings came last time out in 2022 in a 28-27 defeat in Florence, are looking to bounce back from a 25-7 reversal at the hands of England last weekend.

"The group have rolled up their sleeves and had a solid week of preparation after dusting themselves off from what was a frustrating performance last weekend," Schmidt said.

"We know we’ll need to be better on Saturday against the Azzurri. They'll be well prepared and confident after their highly competitive showing in the Six Nations earlier this year."

Australia team:

15-Andrew Kellaway, 14-Corey Toole, 13-Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12-Hunter Paisami, 11-Harry Potter, 10-Carter Gordon, 9-Jake Gordon, 8-Harry Wilson (captain), 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Tom Hooper, 5-Jeremy Williams, 4-Nick Frost, 3-Taniela Tupou, 2-Matt Faessler, 1-Angus Bell

Replacements: 16-Billy Pollard, 17-Aidan Ross, 18-Zane Nonggorr, 19-Rob Valetini, 20-Pete Samu, 21-Ryan Lonergan, 22-Tane Edmed, 23-Filipo Daugunu

Leicester Fainga’anuku will start at outside centre as one of three changes to the New Zealand starting XV for their Autumn International series clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, as Ardie Savea takes over the captaincy of the team.

Fainga’anuku replaces Jordie Barrett (ankle) in the midfield, while Josh Lord comes into the lock position with regular skipper Scott Barrett (leg laceration) not available.

Quinn Tupaea moves from outside to inside centre to accommodate Fainga’anuku, who came off the bench to great effect in the 26-13 win over Ireland in Chicago last weekend.

The other change to the run-on side sees flanker Wallace Sititi start in the back row of the scrum in place of Simon Parker, who drops out of the match-day 23.

Sam Darry (lock), Du’Plessis Kirifi (loose-forward) and Billy Proctor (centre) are among the replacements added to the bench this week.

The last surviving Barrett brother, Beauden, remains at fly-half with livewire Cam Roigard at scrumhalf. Caleb Clarke and Leroy Carter are the two wings, and Will Jordan continues at fullback.

Hooker Codie Taylor will scrum down with props Ethan de Groot and Fletcher Newell either side of him, while Fabian Holland partners Lord in the second row and Peter Lakai is at No 8.

New Zealand have never lost a test against the Scots, winning 30 of the previous 32 played since 1905. The two draws came in 1964 (0-0) and 1983 (25-25).

"We have a proud history with Scotland and recent games between us have been close," New Zealand coach Scott Robertson said. "We have named the best team to reflect the challenge we know Scotland will present."

We go again in Edinburgh 😤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 pic.twitter.com/VJUKuaJNXK

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 6, 2025

Tests between the sides have been reasonably rare, with only five in the last 17 years. Scotland have not toured New Zealand since 2000.

The Scots are celebrating 100 years of playing at Murrayfield this week and New Zealand will have to counter the occasion as well as a tough home side.

NEW ZEALAND TEAM:

15-Will Jordan, 14-Leroy Carter, 13-Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12-Quinn Tupaea, 11-Caleb Clarke, 10-Beauden Barrett, 9-Cam Roigard, 8-Peter Lakai, 7-Ardie Savea (captain), 6-Wallace Sititi, 5-Fabian Holland, 4-Josh Lord, 3-Fletcher Newell, 2-Codie Taylor, 1-Ethan de Groot

Replacements: 16-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17-Tamaiti Williams, 18-Pasilio Tosi, 19-Sam Darry, 20-Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21-Cortez Ratima, 22-Billy Proctor, 23-Damian McKenzie.

Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit is fit for selection and will be considered against Argentina on Sunday, assistant coach Danny Wilson said on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old has made a handful of appearances for the Bristol Bears since his return to rugby after two years in the US trying to break into the NFL.

There had been questions around his fitness for Wales' four-match programme this month.

"Yes, he's fit for selection. We are quite fortunate at the moment this squad is fit and healthy. The likes of him and some of the other names available give us a challenge to select the team," Wilson told a press conference.

New coach Steve Tandy is to name the side on Friday with Rees-Zammit in the frame for the clash at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.

"There are a few boxes to tick, but he’s moving in the right direction," Wilson added.

Last week, Rees-Zammit said it felt strange to be back training with Wales after switching to American football.

After 32 caps for Wales, and playing for the British & Irish Lions in 2021, he had spells with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars, although did not play a competitive game in the NFL before signing for Bristol in August.

"It feels amazing to be back in rugby. I went out there (to the US) and tried it out, but I am really happy to be back," he said.