Autumn internationals: Team news ahead of this weekend’s games

Italy v New Zealand, Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Saturday, 1.0 Irish time

Richie Mo’unga will start at outhalf as one of a number of changes to a largely second-string New Zealand side to tackle Italy in their autumn international clash in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Saturday (1pm Irish time).

Mo’unga replaces Beauden Barrett as coach Ian Foster rests some of his usual starters ahead of the meeting with Ireland on Saturday week in Dublin, with wing Sevu Reece, scrumhalf Brad Weber, lock Tupou Vaa’i and prop Tyrel Lomax moving into the line-up from the side that thumped Wales 54-16 in Cardiff last weekend.

“We know it’s a really big game for us when it comes to improving our skillsets and decision-making as we’ve made that a bit of a focus this week,” Foster said in a media release from New Zealand Rugby.

“The team that’s been selected has been given the job of ensuring we grow in those areas from our game against Wales. This week is about this particular group putting another marker down.”

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Vaa’i, 21, will form an inexperienced lock pairing with Josh Lord, 20, who made his debut against the United States last month.

“Tupou is a quality footballer and we have seen more signs of that in the last two weeks, while Josh on his first tour has learnt things quickly and has been really clear-headed at training. We’ve got a lot of faith in him,” Foster said.

Hooker Dane Coles, and props George Bower and Lomax, make up the frontrow, while flankers Luke Jacobson and captain Sam Cane form a backrow partnership with number eight Hoskins Sotutu.

Weber and Mo’unga are a new halfback pairing, with Quinn Tupaea and Braydon Ennor in the centre positions, and Reece and George Bridge on the wing. Damian McKenzie will play at fullback.

The All Blacks could break a number of records this weekend. Their 89 tries to date in 2021 are only three behind the world record of 92 tries scored by Argentina in 2003.

If they add three or more conversions they will break South Africa’s record of 62 in a calendar year set in 2007, while they need another 31 points to also beat the Springboks’ record tally of 658 points that was also set 14 years ago.

Italy coach Kieran Crowley has named an experienced team with Michele Lamaro as captain for the visit of the All Blacks.

“The boys showed a great attitude during training showing a great desire to create something important with this shirt,” Crowley said.

“On Saturday the focus will be on our performance as we continue along the path aimed at creating a very specific team identity.”

It will be Crowley’s first match since being appointed Azzurri coach, having succeeded Franco Smith, who has moved into a new role as the head of high performance in Italy.

Crowley had been due to take his new team back to his native New Zealand this summer, but the cancellation of that tour means he will take charge for the first time at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

ITALY: Matteo Minozzi; Federico Mori, Juan Ignacio Brex, Marco Zanon, Montanna Ioanne; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Danilo Fishcetti, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Marco Riccioni; Marco Fuser, David Susi; Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro, Renato Giammarioli.

Replacements: Luca Bigi, Ivan Nemer, Pietro Ceccarelli, Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Abraham Steyn, Callum Braley, Carlo Cana.

NEW ZEALAND: Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Quinn Tupaea, George Bridge; Richie Mo'unga, Brad Weber; George Bower, Dane Coles, Tyrel Lomax; Tupou Vaa'i, Josh Lord; Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (capt), Hoskins Sotutu.

Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Ethan de Groot, Ofa Tuungafasi, Sam Whitelock, Shannon Frizell, Finlay Christie, David Havili, Jordie Barrett.

Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Saturday, 5.30

Flanker Ellis Jenkins will play his first Test for Wales in three years as one of six changes made by coach Wayne Pivac for the game against South Africa at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.

Jenkins injured his knee playing for Wales against the Springboks in November 2018 and has not featured for the side since.

He comes in to replace Ross Moriarty, who like skipper Alun Wyn Jones was injured in the 54-16 mauling by New Zealand last weekend.

Jenkins will be part of a back three that also includes flanker Taine Basham and number eight Aaron Wainwright.

Loosehead prop Rhys Carre is a new addition to the frontrow alongside hooker Ryan Elias and tighthead prop Tomas Francis, while Will Rowlands will partner Adam Beard in the second row.

Outhalf Dan Biggar has been passed fit to play alongside scrumhalf Tomos Williams, with Nick Tompkins the centre partner for captain Jonathan Davies.

Louis Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams are the two wings, with Johnny McNicholl at fullback.

Regular number 15 Liam Williams is back from an appendectomy and is on the bench, while there are potential debuts for South African-born hooker Bradley Roberts and tighthead prop WillGriff John.

“South Africa coming to town, as world champions, offers a different challenge to New Zealand,” Pivac said in a media release from Welsh Rugby.

“They’ve got a massive forward pack, they’re big across the park really, and they bring a huge aerial threat, so it’s going to be a different challenge.

“Field position in this game is going to be massive, with the scrum that’s coming and lineout drive, so we have to make sure we’re smart in how we play the game.”

The Boks have not won in Cardiff since 2013, but have beaten Wales twice in Rugby World Cup knock-out matches since then.

WALES: Johnny McNicholl; Louis Rees-Zammit, Jonathan Davies, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis; Will Rowlands, Adam Beard; Ellis Jenkins, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Bradley Roberts, Wyn Jones, WillGriff John, Ben Carter, Seb Davies, Gareth Davies, Gareth Anscombe, Liam Williams.

SOUTH AFRICA: Damian Willemse; Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Handre Pollard, Herschel Jantjies; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane; Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager; Siya Kolisi (capt), Kwagga Smith, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach, Elton Jantjies, Frans Steyn.

England v Tonga, Twickenham, Saturday, 3.15pm

England captain Owen Farrell will win his 100th Test cap when he starts at outhalf in Saturday’s Twickenham test against Tonga, with Marcus Smith, who has missed parts of training this week with a leg injury, on the bench.

Farrell will be making his 94th England appearance having also played six tests for the British & Irish Lions and takes the number 10 shirt after Smith, widely expected to start in that position, was unable to take part in key preparation sessions.

Injury-hit inside centre Manu Tuilagi makes his first appearance since March 2020, with Henry Slade at outside centre. Ben Youngs will win his 110th cap at scrumhalf, with uncapped Alex Mitchell among the replacements.

Exciting winger Adam Radwan will win his second cap, with Freddie Steward winning his third at fullback.

Jones has opted for Tom Curry at number eight, with Alex Dombrandt set to join the fray from the bench, and Courtney Lawes starting at blindside flanker.

Tonga, shorn of several first-choice players, were hammered 60-14 by Scotland last week and England, playing in front of an 82,000 Twickenham full house for the first time since last year’s Six Nations, will expect another demolition job.

Saturday’s matchday squad includes 13 players who were involved in the 2019 World Cup and 10 new faces and Jones is hoping the injection of youth will lift the side.

“We want trademark games out of them,” Jones said of the young brigade. “To play with a lot of effort and a lot of control, and then if they get the opportunity, to bring their special talents to the game.”

Most of England’s best performances in recent years have involved stellar displays from Tuilagi and Jones said the bullocking centre was raring to go.

“He’s in great physical condition – Sale have done an outstanding job with him,” he said. “It’s like he’s going to win his first cap on Saturday at the moment so we’re all excited about what we’re going to see from him.”

ENGLAND: Freddie Steward; Adam Radwan, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Jonny May; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, Jonny Hill; Courtney Lawes, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry.

Replacements: Jamie Blamire, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Charlie Ewels, Alex Dombrandt, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, George Furbank.

TONGA: T Veainu; W Fifita, M Hingano, A Taumoepeau, S Kata; K Morath, S Takulua (capt); S Fisi'ihoi, P Ngauamo, B Tameifuna,; H Fifita, T Halaifonua; L Timani, M Kafatolu, S Vailanu.

Replacements: S Maile, L Uhila, M Fia, S Funaki, O Havili, L Fukofuka, J Faiva, V Fine.

France v Argentina, Stade de France, Saturday, 8pm Irish time

France handed a debut to Toulouse lock Thibaud Flament as coach Fabien Galthie made 11 changes from their last outing when naming his side to take on Argentina at the Stade de France on Saturday night.

Only loose forwards Anthony Jelonch, who is no longer captain, and Cameron Woki plus backs Damian Penaud and Melvyn Jaminet remain from the team that lost 33-30 in the third and final Test against Australia in Brisbane in July.

Antoine Dupont was named captain last month and will partner outhalf Matthieu Jalibert, while Romain Ntamack has been moved to centre where he covers for injured midfielders Virimi Vakatawa and Arthur Vincent.

FRANCE (v Argentina, Stade de France, Saturday, 8pm Irish time): Melvyn Jaminet; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Romain Ntamack, Gabin Villiere; Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont (capt); Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Mohamed Haouas; Thibaud Flament, Paul Willemse; Francois Cros, Cameron Woki, Anthony Jelonch.

Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Demba Bamba, Romain Taofifenua, Gregory Alldritt, Sekou Macalou, Maxime Lucu, Jonathan Danty.

ARGENTINA: Emiliano Boffelli; Bautista Delguy, Matias Moroni, -Jeronimo De La Fuente, Mateo Carreras; Santiago Carreras, Tomas Cubelli; Thomas Gallo, Julian Montoya (capt), Francisco Gomez Kodela; Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini; Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Facundo Isa.

Replacements: Facundo Bosch, Rodrigo Martinez, Santiago Medrano, Lucas Paulos, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Gonzalo Bertranou, Nicolas Sanchez, Lucio Cinti.