The clocks have changed, all the leaves are brown (and the sky is most probably grey) and the weather is getting colder. All of this can mean only one thing – at least for devoted rugby union fans. The autumn internationals are just around the corner. The annual rugby jamboree sees teams from all over the globe battle it out in the Northern Hemisphere.
For fairly obvious reasons the nations from the Southern Hemisphere sometimes refer to these fixtures as the November internationals, or even spring internationals. But call them what you will, we have some cracking games in store. There is an interesting mix of huge clashes, between the traditional heavyweights of the game, along with the chance for some of the smaller nations to have their moment in the sun (sun/wind and rain).
Fixtures Run from 2-30 November
These fixtures take place from the 2nd of November (although Japan did host New Zealand on the 26th of October) and run until the 30th of November. There are clashes in a range of locations but here our focus is on the games taking place at Twickenham – as we are going to call the famous stadium for at least a few more months yet!
For those unaware, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) sold naming rights to the stadium back in the summer in a deal thought to be worth north of £100m. It was described as “a multi-year commitment and it’s well over £100m” by RFU Chief Executive Bill Sweeney. The deal, which officially means Twickenham has been called the Allianz Stadium since September, will allow greater investment in the stadium and grassroots rugby but met with a mixed response.
Anyway, to us, for this year at least, and quite possibly much longer, Twickers is Twickers. And we strongly suspect there will be many an English rugby fan who feels the same way.
Things Start with a Bang: 2nd November
The first game of the autumn internationals as far as England are concerned sees the All Blacks visit Twickenham. As said, the Kiwis did play in Japan before this game, winning easily, 19-64, in Yokohama. But for most supporters this is the first game proper and what a cracker it could be.
Kick off is at 3.10pm on Saturday the 2nd of November and a packed house will hope the home side can deliver the goods. As if extra spice was needed, England’s Joe Marler stoked the Kiwi fires by posting on X that the opposition’s pre-match haka, of huge cultural importance to the visitors, was “ridiculous” and “needs binning”.
The prop, who won’t play in the game due to personal reasons, subsequently apologised but there is no doubt that his words will have fired up the All Blacks even more. The away side are big favourites to get the win, bookies pricing them up at around the 3/5 mark, with England way out at 9/5 and the draw 25/1.
The Kiwis dominate the head-to-head record between the nations, with 35 wins to eight. Even on home soil England have only managed to win five out of 26 games, although the last time the pair met at Twickenham (as it was officially called back then!) it ended in a 25-25 draw in 2022. Two meetings in July this year both went the way of the All Blacks, who had home advantage, but both were close, with only eight points between the rivals in both games combined.
Aussies Up Next: 9 November
It is an Antipodean one-two for England as the next game at the Allianz Stadium (typed with gritted teeth) sees Australia come to town. This game will also kick off at 3.10pm and is a week after the opener on Saturday the 9th of November.
This will be the first clash of the internationals for Australia, although Australia A (ironically their B-team) will face Bristol Bears the night before this one. Australia are nothing like the force they once were in the sport and England have been dominant against them in recent times.
England won an away series in 2022 by two games to one and have now won 12 of the last 14 between the nations. That has edged them in front in the overall head-to-head by 28 wins to 26 and the hosts will certainly fancy their chances. The Aussies are there for the taking and, having lost five of their last six, will be low on confidence.
And Then the World Champions Come to Town: 16 November
England are really challenging themselves this autumn with fans at Twickenham treated to a third huge clash in three weekends. On Saturday the 16th of November (but this time a 5.40pm start), world champions South Africa come to town. This will be a repeat of the brilliant 2023 World Cup semi between the rivals, which South Africa won 16-15 thanks to a late penalty in a riveting contest.
The South Africans will be favourites and have won just over 60% of the 46 clashes they have battled through against England. This will be, as always, a physical game, and could be one of the best matches of the autumn. The South Africans have had some thrillers with Ireland and the Kiwis already this year and whilst they were surprisingly beaten by Argentina in September (29-28) they bounced back to thrash he Pumas 48-7 a week later.
England Finish with Japan: 24 November
England then have a Saturday off, playing instead on Sunday the 24th of November at 4.10pm. Japan are the visitors and with former England boss, Eddie Jones, in charge it might be the case that the war of words is as interesting as the battle on the field. The home side and their many fans will fully expect a resounding victory but we can be sure that Jones would love nothing more than to upset the odds.