Rugby

Internationals, today 8.20am; tomorrow 2.50am, 3.20am, 3.50am, 6.05am, 6.20am, 8.30am.Wednesday 7am.

There’s an early start this morning for Tongan fans as their national team plays the Barbarians in Ireland. Tomorrow morning, the northern tour is in full swing, with six internationals. Italy and Fiji get the ball rolling, followed by Scotland hosting Samoa at Murrayfield. After playing two internationals mid-year at their place, England return to Twickers to host Argentina looking for a threepeat. Wales are at home to the Wallabies in the fourth match of the packed schedule. They have met 40 times. Australia have won 29 and Wales 10, with one drawn, but in the first 70 years, from 1908, Wales won six to Australia's two. Since the 1987 World Cup, Australia have dominated, winning 24 to two. Ireland follow with their home game against South Africa, before France and the All Blacks round out the busy day at Stade de France in Paris. France played their first ever rugby test in 1906 against the All Blacks, who won 38-8. France won their third meeting, which was not played until 1954. They have met 57 times, with the All Blacks ahead 44-12 and one draw (in 2002). On Wednesday, the All Blacks meet a French XV in Lyon.