November is always one of the biggest months in the rugby calendar, with new coaches, exciting debuts, and bragging rights on the line. And there is plenty to look forward to in this year’s Quilter Nations Series.
Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa have just wrapped up one of the tightest Rugby Championship campaigns in recent history, with the Springboks pipping the All Blacks to the title on points difference.
And these sides will be joined by the likes of Chile and Japan as the home nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland prepare for an exacting month of world-class rugby.
TNT Sports has you covered with some of the most important and exciting talking points for this autumn’s Quilter Nations Series.
Pollock set for England No. 8 audition
With news of Tom Willis swapping Saracens for a move to France, England head coach Steve Borthwick left the forward out of his initial autumn squad.
Willis had been emerging as England’s preferred No. 8, but his future departure has left a void that needs to be filled in Borthwick’s forward pack.
Sam Underhill is back in contention, but Borthwick might just opt to throw Henry Pollock into the deep end and trial him at the base of the scrum.
The 20-year-old has played much of his short career at openside flanker with sprinklings of games at No. 8, but Northampton Saints are starting Pollock in the latter position against Saracens, and against Willis, on Friday night – live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Pollock is a having a Maro Itoje-like rise to stardom, taking to top-flight rugby with ease and even scoring twice on his England debut against Wales in the last Six Nations.
Being one of the most in-form players of the year earned him a ticket down under on the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, and whilst he did not feature in any Tests, do not be surprised if he is back on the plane in 2029.
Borthwick’s camp will surely have their eyes on Northampton’s clash with Saracens, and Pollock is sure to draw plenty of attention.
‘Outstanding’ Pollock ’embracing’ limelight but has to ‘back it up’
Video credit: TNT Sports
Marcus Smith v Fin Smith
Having two international level fly-halves is a very good problem to have, and this autumn is another chance for Borthwick to see which of the PREM stars can stake their claim.
This time last year, Marcus Smith started all four autumn Tests as England suffered losses to the All Blacks, Wallabies, and Springboks, before crushing Japan.
After Marcus started in an opening-round loss to Ireland in this year’s Six Nations, Borthwick opted instead for Fin Smith at 10 for the remainder of the tournament.
Fin produced a player-of-the-match performance against France and delivered under pressure as his last-minute conversion sealed a 26-25 win. He started the four remaining matches, seemingly usurping Marcus as England’s playmaker.
This saw Borthwick opt for Marcus as a ball-playing fullback in an attempt to utilise the offensive talents of both Smiths. But with such a small sample size for that experiment, the autumn Tests may be the true measure of England’s dual-playmaker axis.
Both have one last chance on the pitch to impress Borthwick in the Gallagher PREM this weekend, with Fin starting for league-leaders Northampton against second-placed Saracens, facing off against Owen Farrell.
Marcus’ Harlequins welcome Newcastle Red Bulls to The Stoop. The visitors have yet to win a league game this season, while Quins need to bounce back after a chastening 38-0 defeat to Exeter Chiefs last weekend.
Highlights: Smith stars as Quins beat Sarries
Video credit: TNT Sports
Can Rees-Zammit help bring hope back to Wales?
When Steve Tandy named his first Wales squad for the autumn Tests, few were surprised to see Louis Rees-Zammit included.
Despite playing just four games of rugby union after his return from the NFL – and carrying a foot injury – it looked likely he was going to be selected.
He missed Bristol Bears’ last two games, but Tandy is hopeful he will be available for the Argentina game on November 9.
Wales’ backline overall is inexperienced, but a back three of Josh Adams, Blair Murray, and Rees-Zammit shows huge promise as they embark on a new era under Tandy.
The new head coach also has Tom Rogers, Rio Dyer and Jacob Beetham competing for a spot in the back three.
The beginning of Tandy’s tenure feels like the greatest reset for Welsh rugby since Warren Gatland first came in 2008, and the return of Rees-Zammit seems perfectly timed to bring the feel-good factor back.
Rees-Zammit on getting gift from Taylor Swift, life in NFL and return to PREM
Video credit: TNT Sports
Does Farrell need new blood in the Ireland camp?
Ireland are kicking off their autumn with a trip to Chicago to face New Zealand, nine years after they clashed with the All Blacks in the United States for the first time.
But injuries and fitness worries are already affecting Andy Farrell’s plans, and reminding supporters of the need to inject new blood into the squad, particularly at centre.
Connacht’s Bundee Aki picked up a hip injury while playing his first match of the season against the Bulls, during which wing Mack Hansen was also injured and subsequently ruled out of Ireland’s squad.
Robbie Henshaw also has a groin injury, and while he and Aki have been retained, neither are assured starters.
The other No. 12 in the squad, Stuart McCloskey, is 33. By the time the 2027 Rugby World Cup comes along, Aki, Henshaw, and McCloskey, will be 37, 34, and 35 respectively.
Uncapped Munster centre Tom Farrell, 32, has been drafted in as cover.
The present is not an immediate issue, but Farrell could soon have some decisions to make regarding key positions in his squad.
Jones’ loss is Hutchinson’s gain
Unfortunately for Glasgow Warriors and Scotland supporters, Huw Jones is not expected to return to action until next year.
The duo of Jones and Glasgow teammate Sione Tuipulotu have deservedly dominated the 12 and 13 jerseys under Gregor Townsend in the last few years.
Dubbed ‘Huwipulotu,’ the dynamic centre pairing have established themselves as two of the best in Europe and starred together against the Wallabies on the Lions tour.
But less heralded centre Rory Hutchinson has perhaps been Northampton’s most in-form player this year, and has another chance to impress Townsend against Saracens.
The decision for Townsend will be whether to keep Tuipulotu at 13, or move him inside to accommodate Hutchinson at outside-centre. Either way, optimism is high for a Scottish side that have shown flashes of brilliance this year.
Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM, Quilter Nations Series and Premiership Women’s Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
