International Rugby: Predictions and teams for 23 November 2024

It’s the climax of the Autumn rugby internationals in the Northern Hemisphere this weekend, with six more blockbuster fixtures to wrap up a fascinating month of action.

South Africa’s Springboks take their winning run to Wales on Saturday, while New Zealand’s All Blacks tackle Italy and Ireland host Fiji.

England’s search for a Test win goes on when Japan arrive at Twickenham on Sunday as Australia take their impressive form to Scotland, while the action kicks off in Paris on Friday night when France go up against Argentina.

All kick off times Central African Time (GMT +2)

Ireland vs Fiji – Saturday 23 November, kick off 17.10

Ireland continue their Autumn international rugby campaign on home turf when they welcome Fiji to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

It’s a penultimate encounter for the Irish, whose campaign extends another week with a Dublin Test against in-form Australia still to come.

Andy Farrell’s side are certainly battle hardened having fought to see off Argentina 22-19, having been on the end of a 13-23 defeat at the hands of New Zealand’s All Blacks a fortnight ago.

The Fijians are going well themselves, heading to the Irish capital off the back of consecutive wins.

A hop across to Spain for a 33-19 success was a handy follow up to their 24-19 Principality Stadium victory over sorry Wales a fortnight ago.

They make three changes from their Cardiff glory, including Ponipate Loganimasi coming in for the suspended Semi Radradra.

Luke Tagi receives a front row call up, with Mesake Vocevoce brought into the locks as the Pacific Islanders attempt to beat their hosts for the first time.

Fly half Sam Prendergast is handed a starting debut in the green jersey, as are hooker Gus McCarthy and Cormac Izuchukwu on the flank.

Ireland Starting XV: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Sam Predergast, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Caelan Doris (captain), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 5 Tadgh Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Andrew Porter.

Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Tom O’Toole, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Cian Prendergast, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Stuart McCloskey.

Fiji Starting XV: 15 Vuate Karawalevu, 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (captain), 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Ponipate Loganimasi, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Meli Derenalagai, 5 Temo Mayanavunua, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Eroni Mawi.

Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Setareki Turagacoke, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Vilimoni Botitu, 23 Sireli Maqala.

Wales vs South Africa – Saturday 23 November, kick off 19.40

Wales have it all to do in their final Autumn rugby international assignment on Saturday, with mighty South Africa the visitors to the Principality Stadium.

The Springboks are a typically terrifying prospect and it could well be a case of Welsh lambs to the slaughter, as the tourists arrive having seen off England and Scotland so far on their Northern Hemisphere tour.

It’s a stark contrast for their hosts, as the pressure ramps up on veteran coach Warren Gatland thanks to 11 Test defeats on the bounce.

The Boks have mixed things up for their final match of the year, with a couple of those changes enforced by some midweek disruption.

Wilco Louw earns a start despite Ox Nche having originally been slated for action, meaning a switch across to the loosehead role for Thomas du Toit.

Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kwagga Smith, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen and Makazole Mapimpi have all jetted home early.

But coach Rassie Erasmus still retains plenty of firepower in a Bok side captained by Siya Kolisi.

Sam Costelow is restored to fly half as Gatland rearranges the deckchairs on the Titanic, with Blair Murray shifted to full back.

Wales Starting XV: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Ellis Bevan, 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 James Botham, 5 Christ Tshiunza, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Archie Griffin, 2 Dewi Lake, 1 Gareth Thomas.

Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Eddie James, 23 Josh Hathaway.

South Africa Starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Thomas du Toit.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Handre Pollard.

Italy vs New Zealand – Saturday 23 November, kick off 22.10

The big boys are in town in Turin on Saturday, as Italy play host to New Zealand in their final Autumn international rugby Test match of the year.

And the bad news for the Azzurri is that the All Blacks arrive a wounded animal, having crashed to the agony of a 29-30 defeat to France in Paris a week ago.

It put an end to a sequence that had seen them edge past Ireland and England, as they looked like ending a difficult year on a high note.

So beware the backlash, with the home nation’s 20-17 win over Georgia little more than a satisfactory riposte to their 18-50 thrashing at the hands of Argentina on the opening weekend.

There’s room for a little sentiment for the tourists, who will bid farewell to Sam Cane and TJ Perenara in their final international appearances.

Coach Scott Robertson has also chosen to call on the services of prop Ethan de Groot and lock Patrick Tuipulotu, adding some heft to his pack for their 2024 finale.

Star man Ange Capuozzo is a welcome returnee for the men in blue at the Juventus Stadium, as he makes his comeback following a concussion.

Italy Starting XV: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Jacopo Trulla, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex (captain), 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Martin PageRelo, 8 Ross Vintcent, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Dino Lamb, 4 Federico Ruzza, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 1 Danilo Fischetti.

Replacements: 16 Giacomo Nicotera, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Niccolo Cannone, 20 Alessandro Izekor, 21 Alessandro Garbisi, 22 Leonardo Marin, 23 Marco Zanon.

New Zealand Starting XV: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Reiko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyral Lomax, 2 Codie Talor, 1 Ethan de Groot.

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 David Havili, 23 Damian McKenzie.