Sports Blog 16/11/2017: Rugby Union Preview – Internationals, Saturday 18th November 2017

Can England shake-off the rust that plagued them last weekend when they take on Australia this Saturday, at 3pm on Sky Sports?

Eddie Jones was not best pleased with England’s performance against Argentina. Though the hosts eventually won 21-8, the coach labelled the game a ‘grindathon’ – well, after first being caught using some very different language on camera – with England substantially benefiting from Argentine sloppiness as they struggled to find their flair.



The Wallabies weren’t exactly at their best either last weekend, (relatively) narrowly beating Wales 29-21 in Cardiff. However, they were irresistible in attack, with tries for Tatafu Polota-Nau, Adam Coleman, Michael Hooper and (questionably) Kurtley Beale.

After the sort-of-unsuccessful minor experiment against Argentina, Jones looks set to send out his strongest side on Saturday, with Owen Farrell, Jonny May and Joe Launchbury all returning to the starting line-up. With that in mind – and the fact that Jones’ men beat the Aussies 4 times in 2016 – Spreadex are offering an England/Australia Points Supremacy spread of 8-11.

It’s not just England indulging in some international action on Saturday; all of the home nations are involved. First up is Wales, who face Georgia for the first time in their history at 2.30pm on BBC One. As mentioned, Warren Gatland’s side fell short last weekend, suffering their 13th consecutive loss to Australia. They should bounce back on Saturday, however, at a Wales/Georgia Points Supremacy spread of 16-19.

Scotland will then look to avoid a battering when they face New Zealand, at 5.15pm on BBC Two. A close, if thrilling, 44-38 victory over Samoa isn’t necessarily the best preparation for a visit form the All Blacks, especially since the world champions breezed past France 38-18 in Paris (and then won with their second string side a few days later). Saturday could be an ugly one for Gregor Townsend, with Spreadex offering a New Zealand/Scotland (h) Points Supremacy spread of 20-23.

Finally Ireland look to build on last weekend’s barnstorming performance when they take on Fiji, at 5.30pm on Sky Sports. The Irish were mighty, mighty impressive against South Africa, romping to a 38-3 win in Dublin – their largest ever margin of victory over the Springboks. There’s no reason to think that Saturday’s game will be any different, at an Ireland/Fiji Points Supremacy spread of 27-30.