Latest

Summer Tests week two preview

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
The summer Tests continue in earnest this weekend with all six Guinness Six Nations sides in action.

For three of them, this weekend will mark the end of their international commitments as England, Ireland and France bring the curtain down on their tours against New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina respectively.

Elsewhere, Scotland continue their tour of the Americas by taking on the USA, Italy are over in Tonga and Wales complete their Test series against Australia.

Here is what we can expect:

England aim to break 30-year streak

You have to go all the way back to 1994 for the last time the All Blacks were beaten at Eden Park, Jean-Luc Sadourny’s legendary ‘Try from the end of the world’ clinching a 23-20 France victory in Auckland.

That gives you the scale of the task facing England this weekend, as they look to avenge the one-point defeat they suffered in Dunedin last time out.

Fin Baxter gets a first Test start at loosehead prop in the only change from the team that came so close at Forsyth Barr Stadium, with Bevan Rodd coming onto the bench.

Also on the bench, Dan Cole will overtake Jason Leonard to become the second most-capped player for England men, behind only his Leicester Tigers teammate Ben Youngs.

The All Blacks have made minimal changes for their part, with Finlay Christie replacing the injured TJ Perenara at scrum-half.

For England boss Steve Borthwick, the pressure is all on the home side as they look to preserve their unbeaten streak.

He said: “New Zealand has a formidable record at this venue, but with that comes the pressure of expectation. It will be interesting to see how New Zealand manages that expectation in front of a full house.”

Trulla returns for historic Italy Test in Tonga

Italy will play in Tonga for the very first time as they look to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Samoa.

Gonzalo Quesada has made eight changes from the team that faded in the final quarter in Apia, with Jacopo Trulla given his chance to start on the wing.

The 24-year-old last featured for Gli Azzurri in the summer of 2022, but will look to take this opportunity to stake a claim for a permanent place in the matchday 23 as he comes into the back three along with Ange Capuozzo.

Elsewhere, Martin Page-Relo gets the chance at scrum-half as Quesada continues to rotate his options, while Lorenzo Cannone is back at No.8.

Italy have won three of their previous five meetings with Tonga, but were beaten in the last clash back in 2016.

All change for Scotland against USA

Gregor Townsend is using this tour of the Americas as a chance to test the depth of Scottish talent and he is certainly doing just that against the USA.

Following a convincing 73-12 win over Canada, Townsend has changed every single player in his starting XV to take on the USA in Washington DC.

Rory Darge and Sione Tuipulotu will be the co-captains, with the backline much closer to the one that lined up during the 2024 Guinness Six Nations.

Adam Hastings is one returning face however, starting at fly-half, having last played for the side back in 2022.

The USA triumphed in the last meeting of the sides, back in 2018, but now face a Scottish team packed with experience and looking to extend their winning run on this tour.

Winnett given shot against Wallabies

Wales fell short against Australia last weekend as an obstruction from a maul proved costly in a 25-16 loss.

With the two teams set to meet once again, this time in Melbourne, Warren Gatland has made two injury-enforced changes to his side.

Josh Hathaway and Aaron Wainwright have both been ruled out, the latter suffering a late injury on the occasion of his 50th appearance for Wales.

That sees Cameron Winnett return to the side, getting the nod at full-back, while Liam Williams shifts to the wing.

Having impressed in his first Test opportunities during the Guinness Six Nations, Winnett will now get another chance in the No.15 jersey.

Meanwhile, in the back row, Taine Plumtree moves from blindside flanker to No.8 in Wainwright’s absence, with James Botham coming into the starting line-up.

It is unchanged for the rest of the side, while Mackenzie Martin takes Botham’s place on the bench.

Wales will look to tie up the series against the Wallabies before a final match on tour against Queensland Reds next week.

Ireland look to bounce back in Durban

Andy Farrell’s Ireland head to Durban without Dan Sheehan and Craig Casey, who suffered a serious knee injury and a concussion respectively in the first Test against the Springboks.

The news for the rest of the squad is more positive, as Ireland prepare to take on an unchanged South African 23.

The world champions came out on top in Pretoria, 27-20, with a tight game opening up as four tries were scored in the final 20 minutes.

It will be a test of Ireland’s resilience at the end of a long season as they look to level the series.

France see off Uruguay before second Test

Having beaten Argentina in the first Test in Mendoza, a France development side took on Uruguay on Wednesday for a midweek tour match.

Scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud and replacement second row Posolo Tuilagi grabbed two tries apiece as Les Bleus came out on top 43-28.

They will now aim to make it three wins from three on the tour as they play the second Test in Buenos Aires against Los Pumas.