WILL SARRIES BE ONLY ENGLISH SIDE IN CHAMPIONS CUP QF?

Really, will the English Premiership's only representatives be Saracens, come end of January 2019?
With Bath losing to Leinster, Wasps losing to Toulouse, Leicester being thumped by Racing (at home) and Newcastle losing to Edinburgh (again at home), plus Exeter gaining revenge on Gloucester (and thereby cancelling each other out), Sarries win at Cardiff was very unique, and they now appear to be the only English Prem team set to qualify for the Champions Cup QF.

Toulouse Champions Cup form has been impressive

Newcastle will have to beat Montpeliler away (who can still win their group) plus Toulon at home, and hope other results go their way. Wasps, Leicester and Bath are definitely out, whilst Exeter's & Gloucester's chances of being one of the best runners up are slim.

Leicester have been shocking all season

Based on England's renaissance in the Autumn Internationals, plus Wales' unbeaten run, who would have predicted that by end of January, only one club total from both of these countries would make up the 8 x European Champions Cup Quarter Finalists. Scotland should have 2 teams (Glasgow and Edinburgh), Ireland should have 2 or 3  teams (Leinster, Munster and Ulster), France 2 (Toulouse and Racing Metro) and Saracens, with no Welsh representation. Scarlets, who made the final last year, will finish bottom of their pool. Toulouse's great form may mean that Leinster will probably finish one of the best three runners up, as will Ulster and Glasgow, and no group winner will relish having to face one of those sides in the next round.

AUTUMN INTERNATIONAL TEAM FORM GUIDE

We did say it would be a phoney war, a year out from the RWC in Japan, but how each of the top 9 nations performed over the last few weeks does allow us to predict (or speculate) results on the world's biggest stage next year.

ENGLAND 7/10

Highlights were that first 30 minutes against NZ, beating SA on the scoreboard, despite coming second on the pitch, and the second half against Australia to close out the game. Lowlights were the dreadful first half against Japan, the lack of possession and territory against SA and conceding too many tries against weaker opposition, allowing them to stay in the game for too long. They have unearthed some good squad players in Wilson and Underhill in back row, Sinckler and Moon in front row, & Cokanasiga out wide, plus Tuilagi appears back and fit.

Kyle Sinckler in the thick of it

However, as the Japan experiment showed, they still rely on Farrell at fly half to dominate teams early on, as Ford cannot boss a game like Faz in the first 50-60 minutes (he is better when game opens up later on). Also, if they are to win the World Cup, at this stage, they should be beating teams above them in the world ranking at home. Despite the controversial late try, NZ looked much the better team in the second half. That is why I have graded England a 7, rather than a popular 8.

WALES 8/10

Wales won 4/4 Autumn internationals for first time for a very long time, albeit against teams outside the top five in the world. Highlights were their "Shaun Edwards"sponsored defence, which was immense, only conceding a total of two tries in tight games against Scotland, Australia and South Africa. They got the Australia monkey back off their back, despite not scoring a try, and, in Ellis Jenkins, have found a gem to partner Tipuric and Faletau in back row - hope his injury is not serious. Also, unlike other teams, they appear now to have options at fly half with Anscombe rivalling Biggar. Their RWC group of Australia, plus (an improving) Fiji and Georgia looks mouth watering.

Wales will hope Ellis Jenkins is fit for 6 Nations

IRELAND 8/10

Some have given Ireland 10/10 for their unbeaten Autumn performances, but although they beat NZ in one of the best games I have ever seen (if you have not yet seen the whole game live, watch it, the physicality and accuracy are stunning), their other opposition were a competitive Argentina, plus USA and Italy. Their 6 Nations fixtures of Wales and Scotland away, plus England at home, will be a better test of their RWC winning credentials. Yes, they have quality and experience all over the park, and, yes, some of their younger breed look very good indeed (James Ryan, Jacob Stockdale, Gary Ringrose, etc), but, like England and Scotland, if their first choice fly half is not fit, they are not as effective against the better teams (and with Ireland, this problem is further exacerbated as Sexton is the best 10 in the world).

Here's Johnny ... please stay fit my son

SCOTLAND 6/10

Scotland had some tough fixtures, especially Wales in Cardiff (with a few key players missing as match outside the international window), and a resurgent South Africa, plus Argentina and Fiji (who they lost to in the summer). They narrowly lost to SA (a game they should have won), won ugly against Argentina, and overcame an underprepared Fiji team comfortably. Against the better teams, without John Barclay, they struggled at the breakdown, and without Finn Russell at fly half they struggled to unlock the organised Welsh and Argentinian defence. On the plus side, they blooded Sam Skinner in the back five, Jamie Ritchie in the back row and Josh Strauss was brought back into the fold to give them more ball carrying options, which in the absence of David Denton and Blade Thompson, they need badly. Their final RWC group game against hosts, Japan, will be a cup final.

Josh Strauss back in the Scotland squad

FRANCE 3/10

NEW ZEALAND 8/10

AUSTRALIA 4/10

SOUTH AFRICA 7/10

FIJI 7/10

RFU LOSES £30M

The Rugby Football Union has predicted “growing uncertainty” and “challenging times” after its annual accounts revealed a £30.9m loss and the forced redundancy of 54 staff members.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/nov/26/rfu-accounts-reveal-loss-and-redundancy-of-54-staff-members

FARRELL ESCAPES AGAIN

Once again we are talking about the referee's interpretation of the laws in a game rather than England's encouraging performance versus Australia. The fact that Owen Farrell's tackle was not even looked at again by the ref with the help of the TMO is surprising. The referee said that Rodda, the attacker, dipped his shoulder on contact, so making it look worse, but it is irrelevant what he does, as the onus is on the tackler to make a legal hit. Once again, Farrell did not use his arms to make a safe, legal tackle and, as the last defender preventing a clear try scoring opportunity, it should have been a yellow card and a penalty try. It would, probably, have made no difference to the outcome of the game, but it would have put Oz +4 up at half time, instead of level at 13-13. What concerns me most is that, if Farrell persists in tackling with shoulder and no arms, then, if he gets carded when it really matters, at the RWC in Japan, versus France in the group stage, or Wales in the QF, the consequences will be far more serious. World Rugby needs to get this sorted out now...

AUTUMN INTERNATIONALS WEEK 4 PREVIEW

Been mad busy this week so quick preview of tomorrow's games.

England v Australia

Australia have no Pocock, Beale or Ashley Cooper, and have only won 4/10 games this year, so if England, at home, do  not win by 20 points then Eddie has to go. No excuses, the Japan first half was a disgrace, England have more depth than anyone else, pay them £30k per game and charge fans over £100 per ticket. The country deserves better.

Wales v South Africa

No changes for SA after Scotland victory but Wales change most of the team after Tonga win, bringing in Liam Williams for Halfpenny at 15, with Anscombe retaining 10 slot. Will Wales win 4/4 Autumn tests for the first time? I don't think so - Safas by 5 for me.

BRAVO JAPAN

Japan were excellent today scoring 2 tries against an England side who conceded too many penalties under pressure in first half. It is testament to Japan's excellence that Daly kicked a penalty from halfway and Jones emptied his bench earlier than he wanted to. Who fancies playing them in the RWC in their own backyard?

BROWN DEPARTS RFU AS CEO ... SHOCK!

Steve Brown, RFU CEO, has resigned with less than a year to go to the World Cup in Japan. Nigel Melville, ex USA Rugby CEO, will step in to cover. I know the RFU has money problems, mainly due to the East stand build running over budget, and nobody was impressed that community coaches are being made redundant, but nobody expected him to leave the Banana Republic so quickly! Hardly good prep for Eddie and squad for tomorrow's game v Japan, and takes the gloss off a big occasion for the Brave Blossoms, playing at Twickenham for first time for any years.

Chris Jones of BBC explains what is happening in the Banana Republic
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45122734

AUTUMN WEEK 3 LINE UPS AND PREDICTIONS

Ireland v New Zealand

So three weeks into the Autumn Internationals, and here is the big one - the number 1 and 2 ranked sides in the world go head to head. The strength of Ireland is reflected on the bench, where, having unfortunately lost Sean O'Brien and Robbie Henshaw to injury, they still have the likes of Iain Henderson, Jordan Larmour, Jack McGrath and Joey Carbery to fall back on. It will be the ultimate test for Ireland's new talented breed of James Ryan, Dan Leavy and Garry Ringrose, but they have battle hardened Lions in Kearney, Sexton, Best and O'Mahony in key positions, who know how to beat NZ. The AB's replace the injured Williams with Crotty, who looked good in the second half against England last week, with Lienert-Brow coming onto the bench. They will not be as a poor as last week, especially with better weather conditions predicted, and I think although Ireland will be close on the scoreboard after 60 mins, the Kiwis will stretch away to win by 10 points.

Can Ireland replicate their recent Chicago victory?

Ireland: Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Johnny Sexton, Kieran Marmion; Cian Healy, Rory Best (capt), Tadhg Furlong; Devin Toner, James Ryan; Peter O'Mahony, Dan Leavy, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Iain Henderson, Josh van der Flier, Luke McGrath, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour.

New Zealand: Damian McKenzie; Ben Smith, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Rieko Ioane; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read (capt), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire; Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock; Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Karl Tu'inukuafe.

Replacements: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Richie Mo'unga, Anton Lienert-Brown.

England v Japan

England make a few starting team changes, with (18 stone) Cokanasiga and Lozowski coming into the backline, and Williams and Ewels into the forwards, plus some interesting positional switches, with Nowell in the centre, and Wilson to openside. On the bench, 19 year old Ted Hill gets his chance as replacement back row. Japan will be competitive, having scored five tries against NZ (not many teams do that) albeit in a heavy defeat, and they have beaten Georgia and Italy convincingly in last 6 months. Nobody will relish playing Japan in their own backyard in 12 months time , but England at home will be a sterner test, so think England will stretch away in 2nd half to win comfortably by 20 points. 

Japan will be seeking to impress on the big stage

England: Daly; Cokanasiga, Nowell, Lozowski, Ashton: Ford (c), Care; Hepburn, George, Williams, Ewels, Itoje, Lawes, Wilson, Mercer.

Replacements: Hartley, Moon, Sinckler, Hill, Underhill, Wigglesworth, Farrell, Slade.

Japan: Tupou; Yamada, Lafaele, Nakamura, Fukuoka; Tamura, Tanaka; Inagaki, Sakate, Koo, van der Walt, Helu, Leitch (c), Nishikawa, Himeno.

Replacements: Niwai, Yamamoto, Ai Valu, Anise, Tui, Nunomaki, Nagare, Matsuda.

Scotland v South Africa

Following a poor performance against Wales, and a better than expected victory over Fiji, this game will reveal where Scotland are truly at, a year out from the RWC. Scotland replaced Australia this week as 6th in World Rugby rankings, so in theory, pitching 5th (SA) v 6th against each other should be an even contest, but there are some that believe that South Africa are level with Ireland as 2nd best in the world on current form. Scotland bring back Huw Jones, who won the Currie Cup for Western Province, before heading north, move Pete Horne to 12 in place of Dunbar, give Gordon Reid a shout in the front row, and move (last week's MOM) Sam Skinner to back row. 

South Africa unsurprisingly seek contact

South Africa's pack must be almost 950kg, as, despite losing Etzebeth and Whiteley to injury, they have brought in the (giant) Snyman and Mostert into the second row and moved Du Toit to back row. Luckily for Scotland, key playmaker, Faf de Klerk, is replaced by Embrose at scrum half. With no rain and wind forecast, Scotland will be aiming to avoid an arm wrestle, win quick ball, and move the bigger, heavier pack around the pitch. SA will look to batter Scotland up front (that means from position 1 - 12) and tire Scotland out through a high tackle count. Interesting game, between two teams with different styles and game plans, but I think size does matter, and Safa's will win by 5.

Scotland team: Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Maitland (Saracens), Finn Russell (Racing 92), Greig Laidlaw (Clermont - captain); Gordon Reid (London Irish), Stuart McInally (Edinburgh), Willem Nel (Edinburgh), Ben Toolis (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors). 

Replacements: Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Allan Dell (Edinburgh), Simon Berghan (Edinburgh), Josh Strauss (Sale Sharks), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors), Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons).

South Africa team: Willie le Roux, Sbu Nkosi, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Handre Pollard, Embrose Papier; Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx, Frans Malherbe, RG Snyman, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Lood de Jager, Francois Louw, Ivan van Zyl, Elton Jantjies, Cheslin Kolbe.

SCOTLAND HAVE DEPTH

For years Scotland have looked on with envy at England, Ireland and even Wales at their strength in depth especially in key positions such as 2, 8, 9, 10 and 15. If a Billy Vunipola got injured, England simply rolled out Nathan Hughes or Ben Morgan, whereas if Scotland's first choice was unavailable they were vulnerable as they only had two professional teams (and they were not great). But things are changing north of the border.

In the back row Gregor Townsend and his coaching team face a rare dilemma in Scotland - choice. Ryan Wilson, Hamish Watson and John Barclay have been regulars over the last couple of seasons, but now they face competition from young bucks like James Ritchie, Matt Fagerson and Magnus Bradbury plus recent converted Scots in David Denton, Blade Thompson, Sam Skinner and now Gary Graham, (who was selected by Eddie Jones but not capped). There are also a few, like Barclay, being brought back from the wilderness such as Josh Strauss, and if John Hardie goes well at Newcastle, he may also come back into consideration - it was only at the last RWC that he was parachuted into the squad from NZ before playing for a club, such was the lack of quality.

Gary Graham faces tough oppo for a place in Scotland's back row

Having options is an odd feeling for Scottish fans, who still get nervous every time Russell, Hogg or Laidlaw go down with a knock. But they can afford now to relax a little with alternatives including:

Out wide
Blair Kinghorn covering full back and wing, Nick Grigg and Sam Johnson in better form than Dunbar or Jones at centre, G Horne, Price and Pyrgos all battling for scrum half berth and Adam Hastings finally offering a class alternative at 10.

Up front
As well as back row, there is back up in every forward  position, whether it be Brown, McNally or Ford at hooker, Dell, Nel, Berghan, Reid, Allan and McCallum at prop, plus Gray brothers, Gilchrist, Toolis, Harley or Skinner in 2nd row.

Stuart Barnes recommends Scotland should forget RWC 2019 and focus on the 6 Nations, as he thinks, with a good start, they could win it. With RWC so important for profile, cash and auto qualification for next tournament, his advice is unlikely to be heeded, but with Scotland's improving strength in depth, I think they will knock over a Top 4 team in Japan - mark my words. Imagine if that was Ireland in the first game of their RWC group, meaning the Irish may then play the AB's in the QF.

Miracles do happen...

AUTUMN WEEK 2 MATCH REVIEW: WALES v AUSTRALIA

Wales 9 v Australia 6

Three penalties was enough for Wales to beat the Wallabies and break their 13 game hoodoo. Many times the Welsh fans have experienced last minute heartbreak against Australia, but this time, even though Oz spurned easy penalties by kicking for the corner, they failed to score the try needed, and Wales were not to be denied. Lee Halfpenny was in the thick of the action, missing two penalties (he never misses anything) and then being flattened by a careless kick follow through by Samuel Kerevi, who was not even penalised. Such is inconsistency of refereeing these days, on another day he may have been carded.

Lee Halfpenny in the thick of it

OATH follower, Tim Bradley, a real Australian rugby fan, who knows what he is talking about, gives his thoughts on the game and the players Cheika should promote over the next few weeks:

In what was a dull game for high-scoring rugby fans, there were some positives to be taken from the Wallabies disappointing loss to Wales.

In defense, the team stood up superbly, conceding just 9 points and no tries. In fact, Wales never looked like getting near bagging a meat pie, which is a credit to the focus of the collective.

History will remember that night for some poor attacking decisions from the Captain Michael Hooper not to take points on offer when Foley was kicking well and some ill-discipline from certain substitutes off the bench as what cost the Wallabies their 10-year winning run against the Welsh; however, their problems are far more deep-rooted.

Going forward the backline continuously ran sideways, in particular Kurtley Beale, who cannot continue in the 12 shirt any more. While he tackles well, he has played like a rugby league Five-Eighth this season drifting sideways and is in capable of straightening up. His kicking was awful as well and made it too easy for the Welsh back three.  

For the Wallabies to match it against the English on the hallowed turf of Twickenham, the Wallabies will need shuffle their back line. Toomua deserves to get his chance in the 10 shirt, with Samu Kerevi shifting to 12 and Israel Folau to 13, where he found himself against the All Blacks in Tokyo a month or so back and played well. Sefa Naivalu deserves to keep his spot on the Wing and Dane Haylett-Petty should continue his good form at full back. However, Cheika may looke to move Beale back to 15 as a second ball player. I’d promote young Jack Maddocks or Marika Korobete to the other wing as they’ll have the leg speed to match it with the likes of Jonny May and Elliot Daly.

Jack Maddocks the Wallabies U20 wing deserves a run

Up front, in the forwards Melbourne-born and Canberra-bound Pete Samu should be promoted ahead of Ned Hannigan to the bench as the reserve loose forward. Hannigan gave away a careless penalty against Wales for not rolling away in what has been the story of his season. Cheika should keep a back three of Hooper, Pocock and Dempsey, and I’d bring Rob Simmons back into the starting XV in the row to sure up the set piece.

Taniela Tupou will be key in the front three. He’s got to start to sure up the scrum and give the Wallabies a solid platform.

AUTUMN WEEK 2 MATCH REVIEW : ENGLAND V NZ

England 15 v New Zealand 16

Boy did it rain, something which didn't affect me directly, high up in the North stand, but affected both team's tactics, the lack of tries on show and the ref's ability to assess TV replays, placing more emphasis (than was welcome or allowed) on the (South African) TMO. But amazingly what it did not affect was both team's ability to pass and catch the ball, with very few knocks ons, testament to the basic skills and mental strength on display, even later on in the game when the ball must have resembled a slippery eel. In fact, at the end of the first half, leading up to their only try, NZ produced one of the most fabulous 5 minutes of go forward rugby I have ever seen - one of the few times in the game where their traditional offloading game appeared - the accuracy and skill in the conditions was stunning. Granted, there were plenty of up and unders, box kicks and taps ahead on the floor, as both sides avoided playing any rugby in their own half, relying on opposition mistakes to give them good field position.

Ashton scores early on for England

But England will contemplate how they lost a game that they dominated for most of the first half, scoring two tries in the process, but then failed to score another point until the 75th minute, when Sam Underhill, following a Lawes chargedown, out thought and out ran Beauden Barrett, to score in the corner. The Twickenham crowd went crazy, smelling victory, only for Jerome Garces, the French ref, who had already awarded the try, to call a time out, and ask the TMO for assistance in checking whether Lawes was offside at the tackle area. His problem was, due to the crowd noise and rain, he could not review the replay footage properly, so had to rely on his TMO to make the final call, which he duly did (... it's offside so you need to change your on field decision and award a penalty), contrary to World Rugby Guidelines, which state the ref should have the final decision.

Was it correct? As it was not a ruck, but a tackle, World Rugby's lawbook states: 

​Law 14 - Tackle
Offside lines are created at a tackle when at least one player is on their feet and over the ball, which is on the ground. Each team's offside line runs parallel to the goal line through the hindmost point of any player in the tackle or on their feet over the ball. 

When game footage is slowed down, it appears Courtney Lawes is possibly slightly in front of the offside line, which is level with the shoulders of George Ford, but it is close (and the NZ prop moves forward just before the Perenara kick). And, like last week's Farrell tackle decision, it appeared harsh, with the the team on the wrong end of the call, again missing out on possibly winning the game. 

Perenara gets away with one...

But it was a real rugby match, old school in its physicality, kicking dominance and weather. OATH roving reporter, Don Tony, was there and shares his thoughts: 

Has Twickenham ever had a better atmosphere? Well if it has it must have been one hell of a game.  I have not heard Twickers this loud, with the singing of the National Anthem setting the tone for a great game in atrocious conditions. Did we miss an opportunity to put another W against the All Blacks? We certainly did ! Should we have won? Yes, of course!  Unfortunately Sam's great effort counted for absolutely nothing, but we can take so many positives out of the display, including the glaring fact that NZ can be beaten on neutral ground in a year's time. I tip Ireland to win against the All Blacks next week (just don't tell my wife, who is from Wanaka).

What do you mean the try is disallowed...

England were excellent in the first 30 minutes scoring two great tries, but NZ, despite being off colour all day, clawed their way back into the game, with 10 points before half time to make it a one score contest. And with the best phase of play in the game early in the second half, they unlocked England's tight defence beautifully, only for Aaron Smith to pass behind Ardie Savea for a certain second try. However, relentless NZ pressure yielded a drop goal and a further penalty to put the World Cup holders ahead, a lead, thanks to the TMO, that they maintained to squeeze home. England should take pride in their performance, and whilst NZ will be better next time they meet (in a RWC semi final?) England will not fear them now.

AUTUMN WEEK 2 LINE UPS AND PREDICTIONS

England bring in Ashton to start on the wing, probably to give Daly more protections at fullback, Moon at front row and Underhill at 7 to replace the injured Curry. I think retaining Te'o was a good call to combat Sonny Bill, as was keeping Hartley at hooker (to get under their skin) - Shields is lucky as done nothing for club or country.

Chris, please repeat in England shirt

England: Elliot Daly; Chris Ashton, Henry Slade, Ben Te'o, Jonny May; Owen Farrell (co-captain), Ben Youngs; Ben Moon, Dylan Hartley (co-captain), Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Brad Shields, Sam Underhill, Mark Wilson.

Replacements: Jamie George, Alec Hepburn, Harry Williams, Charlie Ewels, Courtney Lawes, Danny Care, George Ford, Jack Nowell.

NZ have the best backline I think I have ever seen - superstars like Barrett, Williams, Ioane and Smith x 2 are worth playing £195 to watch every week (Ben Smith is the most consistent performer in world rugby imho) and young bucks like McKenzie and Goodhue are also getting pretty close. They just need to win the ball, and, oh, with season campaigners like Franks, Read, Whitelock and Retallick up front, they have a good chance. But, hey the Safas beat them so England have a chance!

I am not religious but this man is God

New Zealand: 15-McKenzie; 14-Smith, 13-Goodhue, 12-Williams, 11-Ioane; 10-B Barrett, 9-A Smith; 1-K Tu'inukuafe, 2-Taylor, 3-Franks, 4-Whitelock, 5-Retallick, 6-Squire, 7-Savea, 8-Read

Replacements: 16-Coles, 17-Tu'ungafasi, 18-Laulala, 19-S Barrett, 20-Todd, 21-Perenara, 22-Mo'unga, 23-Crotty

Prediction: NZ by 10

Scotland bring back in some big guns for Fiji game, which is a testament to the increasing strength of the opposition. Had they been available last week, they ideally would have wanted this week to rest Russell, Laidlaw, Maitland, Nel and Wilson ahead of the SA game, plus given Hogg another week to recover from his injury, However, having had 101% possession last week against Wales and failed to turn pressure into points, they need to win the game tomorrow and get some momentum going for their toughest Autumn test the week after. Good to see Skinner making his debut, and Strauss back in the squad to give them more ball carrying options, along with Harris in the centre, who replaces Huw Jones, who will no doubt be doing tackling drills on the back pitch.

Good to see Hoggy back fit again

Scotland team: Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Maitland (Saracens), Finn Russell (Racing 92), Greig Laidlaw (Clermont - capt); Allan Dell (Edinburgh), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Willem Nel (Edinburgh), Sam Skinner (Exeter), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors).

Replacements: Stuart McInally (Edinburgh), Alex Allan (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Berghan (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Josh Strauss (Sale), George Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons).

Fiji only lost 20 - 23 to Ireland in the summer, and beat Scotland in Suva (there is said it) so will not be underestimated this time around. With proven Premiership and Top 14 players in their backline like Goneva and Radradra (frightening against England for Baba's) Scotland need to deny them quick ball (and avoid getting tackled at all). Bill Mata at 8 is well know to Scots, as he has been Edinburgh's best player this season, ditto Nakarawa, who made Glasgow competitive with any team in Europe a few seasons ago.

Radradra: Deny this man the ball

Fiji: 15. Setareki Tuicuvu, 14. Metui Talebula, 13. Semi Radradra, 12. Jale Vatabua, 11. Vereniki Goneva, 10. Ben Volavola, 9. Frank Lomani; 1. Campese Maafu, 2. Sam Matavesi, 3. Manasa Saulo, 4. Tevita Cavubati, 5. Leone Nakarawa, 6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu (captain), 7. Peceli Yato, 8. Viliame Mata

Replacements: 16. Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Eroni Mawi, 18. Kalivate Tawake, 19. Albert Tuisue, 20. Semi Kunatani, 21. Henry Seniloli, 22. Alivereti Veitokani, 23. Eroni Vasiteri

Prediction: Scotland by 7 (ish)

Despite having access to their Exiles, Wales has only made three changes as they attempt to beat Oz for the first time in 13 matches. Josh Adams starts on the wing, Tomas Francis in the front row and Adam Beard in second row. Dan Biggar and Liam Williams strengthen the bench. Australia has made 4 changes to side that lost to NZ in the Rugby Championship. Adam Coleman comes into 2nd row, Latu at hooker, Jack Dempsey in back row and Samuel Kerevi at centre. Izzy Folau moves to wing with Haylett Petty at full back and Beale at 12 as a second five eighth. With a Kiwi ref the Aussies have a chance especially if they can win quick ball as should do more damage to Wales defence than Scots.

Prediction: Wales by 3

Roving OATH reporter Jonny Brown will be at the Principality for us.