HOW THE HOME NATIONS WILL FARE THIS AUTUMN

SCOTLAND

Nov 11 v Samoa, Nov 18 v New Zealand, Nov 25 v Australia IT HAS been a turbulent build-up to this series for new coach Gregor Townsend. He is without several players for various reasons. The casualty list includes Greig Laidlaw, Richie Gray, Fraser Brown, Sean Maitland, Duncan Taylor, Matt Scott and Ross Ford. John Hardie is facing investigation over allegations of cocaine use and Magnus Bradbury has just returned to action after suffering a head injury on a night out. Townsend won’t take Samoa lightly after the summer loss to Fiji illustrated the threat posed by the Pacific Island nations. On home soil, though, his team should still be too strong. What adds to the sense of occasion is that the match is Townsend’s first at home as Scotland head coach and is one he will be desperate to win. New Zealand might rotate their squad ahead of a clash with Wales. They may have too much firepower, whoever they choose, but all hope is not lost for Scotland in this one. The All Blacks play France on the Saturday then three days later in Lyon take on a French XV. They then play Scotland at Murrayfield the following Saturday. Although they will rest players, three games in seven days is tough for any international team, even the world champions. Let’s hope they are a bit tired when they roll up at Murrayfield. Scotland’s final match is against Australia and taking them on should hold no fears. They beat them in Sydney in June and can do so again at home, but will still start as underdogs against the world’s No 3 ranked side. For all their injuries, Scotland still have a world-class back division that can run in the tries. Stuart Hogg at full-back, Tommy Seymour on the wing and fly-half Finn Russell (right) will be the key men. The downside is a weakness in the front row where the uncapped Darryl Marfo looks likely to start on the loose-head. Stuart McInally will start at hooker in the absence of the injured Ford and Brown. Thankfully, tight-heads Willem Nel and Zander Fagerson are fit. PREDICTION: 2/3

ENGLAND

Nov 11 v Argentina, Nov 18 v Australia, Nov 25 v Samoa EDDIE JONES has so much juggling to do this month, he could join the circus. England’s head coach must try to keep various balls in the air over the coming weeks. The Australian knows balance is needed between vital experimentation and maintaining momentum. But Jones is aware that he can’t ignore the bottom line of results. Such has been the scale of England’s resurgence, it would be a shock for Twickenham to witness a home defeat this month. Argentina are free-falling amid a state of tactical limbo, Australia will be weary and without their back-line talisman, Israel Folau, and Samoa cannot hope to compete with limited resources. In Argentina in June, England launched a hightempo, off-loading game and that must continue. Meanwhile, evolution will be apparent in the back row, where rookies Sam Underhill and Tom Curry are vying at openside — and Maro Itoje (right) or Courtney Lawes could operate at blindside, as part of the new ‘back five’ ethos. Jones can keep juggling. Prediction: 3/3

WALES

Nov 11 v Australia, Nov 18 v Georgia, Nov 25 v New Zealand, Dec 2 v South Africa AFTER being in Lions mode last season, Warren Gatland is back in the day job and facing the toughest autumn campaign of the four home nations. All three of the traditional southern superpowers are coming to Cardiff and Wales must break the cycle of regular failure in these autumn windows. They have lost 12 Tests in a row against Australia and haven’t beaten the All Blacks since 1953, although the Springboks have been conquered on their last two autumn visits. The absence of injured Lions captain Sam Warburton is a setback but the return of Ross Moriarty (left) to fitness is timely. Taulupe Faletau has been in supreme form for Bath. The same can be said for Rhys Priestland, but Dan Biggar is sure to continue at 10. No George North means a deserved opening out wide for Steff Evans. Wales should beat Georgia and one of Australia or the Boks. Prediction: 2/4

IRELAND

Nov 11 v South Africa, Nov 18 v Fiji, Nov 25 v Argentina AS their union face the prospect of losing out to South Africa in the tussle to host the 2023 World Cup, Ireland can make the Springboks suffer next weekend. Joe Schmidt’s side lie fourth in the global rankings and can complete a clean sweep this month. The Irish have joined England in taking giant strides towards smashing the southern stranglehold on the sport. They will be without leading lights in Garry Ringrose, Josh van der Flier, Jared Payne and Jamie Heaslip. But Connacht’s Kiwi centre Bundee Aki has been called up after qualifying on residency. A tenacious pack will create a platform for the creative hub of Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton (right) to wreak havoc. They should dispatch the Boks, Fiji and Argentina. Prediction: 3/3