Nations Championship Round 4 Preview

It’s finally here. The inaugural Nations Championship kicks back into gear this week as Round 4 of the competition commences across Europe between Friday, November 6 and Sunday, November 8.

After a sizzling Southern Hemisphere Series in July, the Northern cohort take their turn to host three fixtures each over the next month, and the first set of matches will take place in just a couple of days.

With the tournament already at its half-way juncture, every single try, point and result will carry significant weight from here on in as the pool rankings begin to take shape ahead of Finals Weekend at Twickenham in late November.

Anyone lucky enough to secure Nations Championship tickets is guaranteed to witness something special this autumn. Ahead of the action, we’ve previewed all six Round 4 matches, starting with Ireland’s curtain raiser against Argentina in Dublin.

Current Standings Heading into Round 4

After three rounds of intense Nations Championship drama in July, the tables are tightly contested at both ends. As expected, world champions South Africa and the powerful All Blacks dominated their Tests in the summer and claiming a maximum of 15 points each.

Four of the six teams from the Northern Hemisphere managed to win twice each, though current Six Nations title holders France earned the biggest overall tally after they claimed bonus points in their matches against New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

Southern Hemisphere

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
1	South Africa	3	3	0	0	130	49	+81	20	7	3	0	15
2	New Zealand	3	3	0	0	121	70	+51	18	9	3	0	15
3	Australia	3	1	0	2	114	85	+29	18	13	3	1	8
4	Argentina	3	1	0	2	97	99	−2	13	15	2	1	7
5	Japan	3	1	0	2	62	88	−26	7	12	0	0	4
6	Fiji	3	0	0	3	49	145	−96	7	22	0	0	0

Northern Hemisphere

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
1	France	3	2	0	1	116	75	+41	16	11	3	1	12
2	Scotland	3	2	0	1	108	97	+11	16	14	3	0	11
3	England	3	2	0	1	125	77	+48	19	11	2	0	10
4	Ireland	3	2	0	1	90	91	−1	13	13	2	0	10
5	Wales	3	1	0	2	60	102	−42	9	15	1	0	5
6	Italy	3	0	0	3	37	131	−94	5	19	0	0	0

Nations Championship Round 4 Fixtures

Friday 6 November – Ireland v Argentina (Aviva Stadium, Dublin, 20:10 GMT)

Ireland start the Northern Series with what looks like a winnable opener against Argentina under the lights at the Aviva Stadium. Andy Farrell’s side enjoyed two wins in three games in July, including a stunning showing against Australia (33-31), and will be heavy favourites in Dublin.

Farrell will have to plan without injured captain Caelan Doris as well as Jack Conan, Jack Crowley and Garry Ringrose, though Tadhg Furlong's availability provides a welcome boost.

Argentina meanwhile, were beaten at home by Scotland and rivals England in the Southern Hemisphere Series, and they’ve lost on all six previous visits to the Aviva. Pumas head coach Felipe Contepomi has skipper Julian Montoya back, though Santiago Grondona, Ignacio Ruiz, Joaquin Oviedo and Thomas Gallo are all injured.

Tickets are available via LiveRugbyTickets – view Ireland v Argentina tickets.

Saturday 7 November – Italy v South Africa (Allianz Stadium, Turin, 11:40 GMT)

Italy conceded 131 points across three matches and finished the Southern Hemisphere Series at the bottom of their Pool, and the Gli Azzurri are unlikely to resurrect their fortunes against South Africa in Turin.

Italy have confirmed that a massive 15 key players are unavailable through injury for Saturday’s Test, including influential figures like Ignacio Brex, Sebastian Negri, Tommaso Menoncello and captain Michele Lamaro.

With so many players absent for the hosts, the game suddenly looks like easy pickings for South Africa. Ronnie Erasmus’s Springboks squad is packed to the hilt with world-class talent and they showcased their quality in the summer with convincing victories over England, Scotland and Wales.

Secure seats here: Italy v South Africa tickets.

Saturday 7 November – Scotland v New Zealand (Murrayfield, Edinburgh, 14:10 GMT)

Scotland have never beaten the All Blacks in a Test match before, though they came mightily close when the teams last met in November last year, falling agonisingly short late on to drift to a 25-17 defeat at Murrayfield.

The Scots have become one of rugby’s most feared attacking teams under Gregor Townsend, and wins over Argentina and Fiji in July straddled a spirited showing in a loss against South Africa (28-42).

However, that was the last time Scotland played. New Zealand have played six fixtures since the summer and their extra match-sharpness could be a major factor ahead of Saturday’s skirmish in Edinburgh.

Scotland v New Zealand tickets are in demand – buy yours now.

Saturday 7 November – Wales v Japan (Principality Stadium, Cardiff, 16:40 GMT)

Wales (fifth in the North) face Japan (fifth in the South) at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, in what should be the most straightforward of three home fixtures for Steve Tandy’s side.

Tandy will be without the injured Tommy Reffell, Kieran Hardy, Rio Dyer and veteran Taulupe Faletau on Saturday, however, the Dragons should have enough strength in reserve to cope against a Japan side that travels with low expectations.

With much trickier challenges to come against New Zealand and Australia, it’s imperative that Wales put points on the board here. The Principality is expected to be loud for this one.

Wales v Japan tickets are available now.

Saturday 7 November – France v Fiji (Groupama Stadium, Lyon, 20:10 GMT)

Already occupying top spot in the North with 12 points, France have been tipped by many to remain at the summit this autumn and a comfortable victory over an uninspiring Fiji outfit in Lyon would help to set Les Bleus on their way.

However, head coach Fabien Galthié’s preparations have been unsettled by a major injury crisis. Matthieu Jalibert, Thomas Ramos, and Demba Bamba had already been sidelined, though that trio has now been joined by Fabien Brau-Boirie, Antoine Hastoy, Karl Sorin and Marko Gazzotti.

France’s squad is nowhere near as strong as it could be for November, though their weaknesses are unlikely to be exposed by a Fiji team that was battered three times in July, conceding 145 points along the way.

France vs Fiji Tickets: check the Nations Championship November fixtures page.

Sunday 8 November – England v Australia (Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, 15:10 GMT)

England launch their autumn series against Australia at Twickenham, an opponent they’ve bested three times in the teams’ last four encounters, including their most recent clash at the same venue in November last year (25-7).

That record means that Steve Borthwick’s side can approach Sunday’s task with optimism. England sit third in the Northern Pool, but have the best points difference (+48) in the division. They have a strong foundation to build on and if they can manage their injury issues at scrum half, they have a chance to start on a positive footing against the Wallabies.

Australia travel to England on the back of heavy successive defeats to New Zealand and without key midfielder Hunter Paisami. They also lost two of their three home matches in July, so there is a definite vulnerability in their ranks that England can target.

England v Australia tickets are available alongside the rest of England’s autumn schedule.

Get Your Nations Championship Tickets

Demand for this week’s Round 4 fixtures remains high and many official allocations have already been sold out. However, with LiveRugbyTickets, you’ll find a wide selection of verified Nations Championship tickets across all November matches and Finals Weekend in our resellers marketplace.

Whether you fancy a trip to the Aviva Stadium, Murrayfield, Principality, Allianz Stadium or one of the venues in France or Italy, we’ve got tickets to get you through the gates and into seats for every single fixture in November.