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Looking ahead to the Autumn Internationals

The days are getting shorter, you’re digging out your jumpers from last year, and everyone in the office is running out for pumpkin spice lattes. That can only mean one thing for Rugby fans…it is time for the Autumn internationals! An incredible festival of Rugby Union kicks off next week and with 23 exciting clashes over 5 weeks, there is plenty to get excited about.

Some of the best teams from the Southern Hemisphere will be coming to Europe, and this will give us a chance to see how everyone is shaping up for the World Cup in 2023. 

While these fixtures don’t officially constitute a tournament (there is no trophy on offer here), there is still plenty to play for in the Autumn Internationals. The teams certainly won’t be going easy on each other as the results will go towards their World Rugby ranking points, affecting their seeding for future tournaments. The ranking points will not affect the seeding for the World Cup in 2023 however, as the seeding for this is already set.

Putting the technicalities aside for a minute though, if we’re honest, the main thing to play for in these games is a psychological boost, having a good run in the ‘friendlies’ prior to a major tournament can be fundamental to building a team’s confidence. Plus, when it comes to international rugby, there is always pride to play for!

To get you in the mood, we’ve compiled a list of a few of the games we are getting excited about!

Exciting Clashes

Ireland vs South Africa – 05-11-22

Ireland have looked incredibly strong over the last few years; everything has come together for them, and they should be looking forward to the upcoming World Cup!

Their recent form has not been without drama though. They reached the top of the rankings for the first time in their history in 2019, but disappointingly they only managed to sit up top for 2 weeks.

Ireland then reclaimed the top spot, after their successful tour of New Zealand, in July this year. You get the feeling that this time, they will want to make it stick. Incredibly, their victory in New Zealand made them the first team in the professional era to win a series against the ever dominating All Blacks on their home territory.

South Africa head into the competition as reigning world champions and the Springboks will be looking to regain some of the inspiration which led to them winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Yet, they have looked a little inconsistent since their victory in Japan in 2019 and have lost 8 of their 22 games in the 2020’s. Could this be the beginning of a fight back, or will Ireland steam roll them with their recent form?

Last time around

These two sides haven’t met since 2017 and in that game, Ireland absolutely dominated, running out to a record breaking 38-3 victory over the Springboks. Absolute annihilation, which South Africa will certainly be looking to avoid this time around.

Last time out against the Springboks we scored four memorable tries in a big win! 🔥🇿🇦#TeamOfUs | #IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/nqAYTB9yY7

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 21, 2022

England vs New Zealand – 19-11-22

New Zealand have not faced off against England since England defeated them in the 2019 World Cup, ending the Kiwi’s hopes of winning three successive World Cups. It was also the first time New Zealand had lost in the World Cup in 12 years ending a staggering run of over 20 victories!

The Autumn International fixtures will be a great opportunity for New Zealand to try to regain some of their old confidence generally. Having lost four of their nine games in 2022, A win against old rivals England offers a great morale boosting opportunity!

England’s form has been patchy heading into the Autumn Internationals. Currently sitting down in 5^th place on the rankings table, they will be looking to make improvements and give some experience to the young players coming through as they head to the 2023 World Cup.

The foundations for success are there for England. They scraped to a 2-1 series win in Australia this summer and their fans will be hoping the team can continue improving, and peak just in time for the World Cup!

The victory could be anyone’s and we can’t wait to find out what happens!

Last time around

When these two sides last met in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Semi-finals, New Zealand went into the game full of confidence having won fifteen of the last sixteen meetings between the two sides. That confidence was shattered in the first couple of minutes as England dominated and scored their first try.

The rest of the match was a tense affair with England having two tries disallowed, but eventually coming out as convincing winners, 19-7.

Ireland vs Australia – 19-11-22

Australia are playing five games in the Autumn Internationals this year, more than any other team. As it stands, they are languishing down in 9^th in the World Rugby rankings and these friendlies are all about reputation rebuilding for them.

They will need to be careful though, as they are playing the two teams at the top of the rankings, Ireland, and France. The last thing they need is to further damage their confidence with such an important year coming up.

Last time around

Ireland and Australia last faced off in 2018 in a 3 games series. All three games were tight affairs, and the series went down to the final match under the floodlights at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney. After a nail-biting 80 minutes, Ireland eventually won the game and the series with a penalty conversion in the dying moments.

Have a look below at the highlights of this tense encounter, worth watching just for the jubilation on the Ireland players’ faces when they clinch their first ever three test series win against Australia.

Make sure you explore Rugby Autumn International packages through Champions Travel for Ireland vs Australia at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in the 2022 Autumn Internationals. and Six Nations Packages for next year.

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