The autumn internationals, or Autumn Nations Series to give it its official title, sees the best of northern and southern hemisphere rugby come together for a month of mouth-watering matches.
England lost their opening match, to New Zealand, and now face Australia, South Africa and Eddie Jones’ Japan. All those matches are taking place at Twickenham, now controversially renamed Allianz Stadium after a sponsorship deal with the German insurance giant that is said to be worth up to £100 million to the RFU.
Ireland, the world’s No 1 team, also played New Zealand and were beaten. They next host Argentina, Fiji and Australia. Rugby fans will be disappointed that the Irish are not tackling world champions South Africa again after their epic two-Test series in the summer ended in a draw.
Wales do get to take on the Boks, likewise Scotland. France will not, but November 16 is a date to circle in your diary because the All Blacks will be in Paris for what could be the match of the series.
Full Autumn Nations Series fixtures
(All times GMT)
Saturday, November 2
– England 22 New Zealand 24
– Scotland 57 Fiji 17
Friday, November 8
– Ireland 13 New Zealand 23
Saturday, November 9
– England v Australia, Twickenham, 3.10pm
– Italy v Argentina, Stadio Friuli (Udine), 5.40pm
– France v Japan, Stade de France, 8.10pm
Sunday, November 10
– Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium, 1.40pm
– Scotland v South Africa, Murrayfield, 4.10pm
Friday, November 15
– Ireland v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, 8.10pm
Saturday, November 16
– Scotland v Portugal, Murrayfield, 3.10pm
– England v South Africa, Twickenham, 5.40pm
– France v New Zealand, Stade de France, 8.10pm
Sunday, November 17
– Italy v Georgia, Stadio Luigi Ferraris (Genoa), 1.40pm
– Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium, 4.10pm
Friday, November 22
– France v Argentina, Stade de France, 8.10pm
Saturday, November 23
– Ireland v Fiji, Aviva Stadium, 3.10pm
– Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium, 5.40pm
– Italy v New Zealand, Allianz Stadium (Turin), 8.10pm
Sunday, November 24
– Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield, 1.40pm
– England v Japan, Twickenham, 4.10pm
Saturday, November 30
– Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium, 3.10pm
What TV channel are matches on?
In the UK and Ireland, each game is shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Unlike the Six Nations, there is no free-to-air television coverage. The radio rights are held by the BBC, where commentary will be on BBC Radio 5 Live.
In France, TF1 will be covering Les Bleus’ fixtures, with beIN SPORT offering every other match.
In Italy, Sky Italia will continue to show every game.
What is the latest news?
A 20-minute red card is in play for the Autumn Nations Series as part of a series of law trials.
Games also feature countdown clocks for scrums and line-outs as well as referees explaining key decisions to the crowd via a microphone.
The 20-minute red card, which is said to be designed for “technical offences”, will allow offending players to be replaced after that period. Crucially, though, officials will retain the ability to send players off permanently for foul play that is deemed to be deliberate and dangerous.
Full England fixtures
(All times GMT)
Saturday, November 2
Saturday, November 9
England v Australia, Twickenham, 3.10pm
Saturday, November 16
England v South Africa, Twickenham, 5.40pm
Sunday, November 24
England v Japan, Twickenham, 4.10pm
What TV channel are matches on?
All England’s games will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
What are our England predictions?
England v Australia
The Wallabies are a team in transition under new coach Joe Schmidt and have suffered some eyebrow-raising defeats, most notably a 67-27 thrashing by Argentina. But they are showing signs of improvement and gave the All Blacks are real scare in the Rugby Championship.
Predicted score: England 34 Australia 14
England v South Africa
France may argue differently, but at the top of the rugby table two teams currently stand above the rest – Ireland and South Africa. The Boks are world class from 1 to 15 and even home advantage is unlikely to be enough for England to stop the Springbok juggernaut.
Predicted score: England 15 South Africa 21
England v Japan
Any time Eddie Jones returns to Twickenham, expect fireworks. And his Japan play a brand of attacking rugby that is a joy to watch. Expect the Brave Blossoms to take an early lead and hold their own in the first half before fatigue and indiscipline creep in and allow England to pull away and seal – on the scoreboard at least – a comfortable victory.
Predicted score: England 45 Japan 23