12 Jun 2019
This weekend sees the start of the Autumn Internationals as the giants of the southern hemisphere head North for a jam-packed schedule of games in November.
With 2019’s World Cup now very much so in the minds of all the competing teams, the series will be a fantastic chance for sides to experiment some more as they seek to hone their squads in the build up to the tournament.
Eddie Jones will be looking to build momentum after a rocky start to 2018 for his England side as they host South Africa in a tasty opening weekend match up. Here we delve into the stats behind all the opening weekend’s fixtures…
England vs South Africa
With three wins and five losses England have enjoyed far from a pristine start to 2018 and will know all too well that they need to step up in this year’s Autumn Internationals with South Africa, New Zealand and Australia all to come.
Perhaps in line with that, Eddie Jones has made a clear step towards freshening up his side, with the likes of Mike Brown (a figure in 29 of England’s last 31 tests) an omission and eight uncapped players named in his initial 36-man squad.
One of those new men, Zach Mercer will hope to be able to make a name for himself as England will take encouragement from a record of 14 wins in their last 15 home tests.
As a diverse man across the back row who’s quick and mobile, England will hope he can help them improve on a woeful Twickenham record of late against the Boks, who have won seven of their last eight there. Get England to win at rugby betting odds of 4/6.
We do, however, fancy South Africa as the favourites at odds of 5/4 as a side that achieved their first win over New Zealand away from home since 2009 in September. It was also the All Blacks first loss in 13.
Japan vs New Zealand
For the All Blacks, we can’t see anything but a win at odds of 1/66 as they face Japan for the fourth time in their history.
With the smallest ever margin of victory for them in the previous three match-ups a massive 48 points, we expect a relatively second-string team to have no trouble in dismantling Japan in Tokyo.
Wales vs Scotland
Scotland haven’t beaten Wales in Cardiff in their last nine attempts, a run dating back until 2002, but they’ll be keen to re-write that statistic in exacting revenge for a 34-7 schooling earlier this year in the Six Nations.
If they are to do so, fly-half Adam Hastings could be a key figure for Scotland as one of the in-form players in the Pro14 this year. The Glasgow play-maker has beaten more defenders than any other player (25) in the league this year.
If he can find that kind of form then Wales could be in for a tough start to a series where they will also face Australia, South Africa and Tonga. Get Scotland to win in Cardiff at odds of 2/1.
Ireland vs Italy
There’s no doubting that Ireland will be the favourites for this one as this year’s Six Nations Grand-Slam winners and a side now ranked number two in the world.
The Irish have outscored their Italian opponents by no fewer than half a century of points in their last three meetings and will hope that a solid series can aid their cause in making up ground on New Zealand at the top of the world rankings.
Host at Soldier Field, they’ll hope to draw upon fond memories from their historic win against New Zealand there in 2016, to power there way to a convincing win to kick off the series.
With the confidence gained from a historic series win over Australia in June, we fancy them to win here at rugby union betting odds of 1/250.
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