Autumn Internationals - Week One - Copybet
The Autumn Internationals begin this weekend as some of the top rugby union nations in the world get set for the traditional November Tests.
England face Australia at Twickenham a week after the Wallabies edged out Japan in Tokyo, while Scotland host the United States at Murrayfield.
Later, the rivalry between Ireland and New Zealand will pen another chapter at Soldier Field in Chicago, scene of the famous first-ever Irish win over the All Blacks in 2016.
England vs Australia
England open their autumn schedule by welcoming Joe Schmidt and his Wallabies side to Twickenham.
The teams met here last November, with the Aussies recovering from trailing 15-0 to edge out a 42-37 win, when Max Jorgensen touched down after the clock had gone into the red.
The Wallabies spent the summer jousting with the British & Irish Lions and defied the odds to win the third Test. Winger Dylan Pietsch was impressive in that game and, after suffering a broken jaw during the Wallabies win over South Africa in the Rugby Championship, is back in action.
Australia failed to impress in last weekend's win over Japan in Tokyo but that run out should stand to them.
A 9.5-point headstart for the Wallabies would have provided the platform for a winning return in the last four meetings and the tourists should keep this contest tight in London.
Scotland vs USA
Murrayfield will be expecting a hefty win as Scotland start their November journey against USA.
They met in a summer Test in 2024 in Washington and the Scots ran out winners, 42-7. Gregor Townsend's side have the ability to match Tier 1 nations on their day and with New Zealand and Argentina to come to Edinburgh next, they won't want a false start.
The USA have lost to Spain, Canada and Japan in recent months, along with a 40-5 defeat against a touring England squad in July.
They may lack the quality to stop the home side running in a decent tally, which should better that 2024 win.
Ireland vs New Zealand
The marquee clash of the weekend sees the teams ranked second and third in the world head for Chicago.
The Ireland-New Zealand rivalry has become compelling since they met here nine years ago and the Irish finally ended their wait for a victory over the All Blacks.
They've proved well matched since, with five wins each from the last 10 Tests. The Kiwis have won the last two – including the 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris that will continue to hurt Ireland for a long time.
They are favourites here but were handed a record defeat by South Africa in the Rugby Championship in September, 43-10 in Wellington, and have twice since squeezed past Australia by nine points or less.
Four of the last seven Tests between Ireland and New Zealand have gone over 51.5 points and that might be the best bet for what could be a barnstormer in the Windy City.