Caelan Doris v Ardie Savea
Ireland v New Zealand, Friday 8th November (20:10)
Two of the most admired and hard-working back rowers in world rugby. At 6'4" and over 110kg, Doris is as formidable a presence as you would expect him to be – but he’s not just about brute strength, though. The 26-year-old – the inaugural Player of the Series back in 2021 – boasts exceptional game awareness, frequently getting into the right positions to exploit defensive weaknesses. His performance against South Africa over the summer was widely praised, while there are even suggestions he could lead the Lions in 2025.
On the other side, Ardie Savea is a generational talent; a global superstar who has been a cornerstone of the All Blacks since his debut in 2016. He brings a relentless energy to New Zealand’s pack, and is simply a nightmare for opponents in open play. Doris will need to match Savea’s physicality and tempo, especially in the breakdown area, where Savea is known for his turnovers. On the other hand, Savea will have to be mindful of Doris’ clever running lines and his ability to link play between forwards and backs. The battle at the breakdown and in open play between these two will likely be a determining factor in the game’s outcome.
Tomos Williams v Simione Kuruvoli
Wales v Fiji, Sunday 10th November (13:40)
This potential scrum-half matchup would be a thrilling duel. Kuruvoli, 24, came to prominence thanks to some standout performances during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, particularly his crucial role in Fiji's historic win over Australia. He brings a blend of sharp tactical awareness and fearlessness in attack. Kuruvoli, who plays for Fijian Drua, also proved his prowess against Wales previously, scoring twice for the Barbarians in 2023. Something of a giant-slayer, he was also crucial in Fiji’s first victory over England that same year.
New Gloucester signing Williams, 29, is equally dynamic, bringing a unique mix of creativity and defensive tenacity to the scrum-half position. His ability to deliver quick ball, combined with his vision to exploit space, can give Wales the upper hand in fast-paced games . Known for his ability to break defensive lines with darting runs, Williams also excels at controlling the tempo, which will be critical when facing a team like Fiji, where unpredictability reigns.
Maro Itoje v Eben Etzebeth
England v South Africa, Saturday 16th November (17:40)
A rivalry for the ages. Despite not yet being 30, Itoje been a totemic figure for England for years. He has developed a reputation as one of the best in the world at disrupting opposition lineouts and providing game-changing turnovers. His competitive nature, as seen in past encounters with South Africa, will be crucial in this head-to-head. Steve Borthwick will need Itoje to be on his best form against Etzebeth, fresh from breaking the record for most caps as a Springbok.
The ultimate enforcer in South Africa’s engine room, Etzebeth is actually far from being just a bruiser: his handling skills and game awareness make him a complete player. Previous meetings have been marked by intense physicality. In their 2023 World Cup semi-final clash, it was a skirmish at the ruck that highlighted the fierce competitive edge between the two players.
Jac Morgan v Fraser McReight
Wales v Australia, Sunday 17th November (16:10)
A highly-anticipated matchup awaits between two of the brightest young back row talents in world rugby, both of whose nations are in a rebuilding phase. Morgan has quickly established himself as the first name on Warren Gatland’s teamsheet. His blend of athleticism, technical breakdown skills, and leadership abilities have made him the frontrunner for the captaincy, and comparisons have been made to that great Welsh openside of recent years, Sam Warburton.
Speaking of heirs to the throne, Fraser McReight has long been seen as David Pocock’s true successor. Like Morgan, McReight is a breakdown specialist, often described as a player with a ‘fetcher's’ mentality. He has been a standout in a Wallabies side that’s struggled for consistency, but is consistently one of the bright spots due to his tenacity and commitment. Crucially, both players have a certain x-factor, which is why they’re spoken of in the same breath as Warburton and Pocock.
Their battle is likely to influence the flow of a match that will go a long way to determining the success of their respective Autumn Nations Series campaigns.
Marcus Smith v Beauden Barrett
England v New Zealand, Saturday 2nd November (15:10)
We know, we know: these two fly-halves face stiff opposition from the likes of Fin Smith and Damian McKenzie, but recent Test outings would suggest Smith and Barrett will be in the driver’s seat come the Autumn Nations Series opener. Smith’s game thrives on instinct, with dazzling line breaks and an ability to exploit even the smallest of gaps in opposition defences. All in all, the Harlequins playmaker is a well-rounded threat.
It wouldn’t be unfair to say that Beauden Barrett is the man Marcus Smith aspires to emulate. A two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, Barrett has long been at the heart of the All Blacks' attacking style – frequently from fullback of late, although his performance against Australia in round six of The Rugby Championship appears to have cemented his return to 10. Known for his blistering pace and vision, he has the unique ability to unlock defences with moments of sheer brilliance, either by carving through with his running game or delivering pin-point passes.
For Smith, this is a chance to step up and show he can command a game against one of the best in the world. His instinctive style of play can thrive under pressure, but after a summer tour that featured two narrow losses to New Zealand, he’ll need to maintain composure against the relentless intensity of Barrett and the All Blacks.
