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Week 3 of the Autumn Nations Series left contrasting emotions after another sensational batch of games. The pressure has intensified on Wales and coach Warren Gatland after their 11th straight defeat, going down in a 52-20 thrashing at the hands of Australia. However, they weren't the only team to see their winless run extended. England saw their own losing streak reach five matches with a defeat to the Springboks, their worst run since 2018. Meanwhile, the Wallabies' resurgence under Joe Schmidt continued as they produced one of their best performances in recent memory, while France will take massive confidence from a third straight win over New Zealand, edging last year's World Cup finalists 30-29 in Paris. Week 4 promises more nail-biting action, with the chance for some teams to get a much-needed win before the end of the year. Jump to:
France vs. Argentina | Ireland vs. Fiji | Wales vs. South Africa
Italy vs. New Zealand | Scotland vs. Australia | England vs. Japan 
France vs. Argentina Time: Friday, Nov. 22 8.10 p.m. UK [7.10 a.m. Saturday AEST] Stadium: Stade de France, Paris. How to watch: TNT Sports / discovery+.  France: Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Antonio, Thibaud Flament, Emmanuel Meafou, Francois Cros, Paul Boudehent, Charles Ollivon, Antoine Dupont (captain), Thomas Ramos, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Yoram Moefana, Gael Fickou, Gabin Villiere, Leo Barre.
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Reda Wardi, Geroges-Henri Colombe, Alexandre Roumat, Mickaël Guillard, Marko Gazzotti, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton.  Argentina: Thomas Gallo, Julian Montoya (captain), Joel Sclavi, Guido Petti, Pedro Rubiolo, Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Joaquin Oviedo, Gonzalo Garcia, Tomas Albornoz, Bautista Delguy, Matias Moroni, Lucio Cinti, Rodrigo Isgro, Juan Cruz Mallia. Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Ignacio Calles, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Franco Molina, Marcos Kremer, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Santiago Carreras, Mateo Carreras. Team news: France coach Fabien Galthié has made three changes to the forward pack that started in the win against New Zealand last week, with Uini Antonio coming into the front-row for Tevita Tatafu. Francois Cros is in for Alexandre Roumat at flanker, while Charles Ollivon comes in at No. 8 for Gregory Alldritt. There is just one change to the back-line: Romain Buros, who scored a try on debut last week, has been left out in favor of Leo Barre at fullback. Argentina have made one change to the starting side that pushed Ireland all the way in Dublin last week, with Gonzalo Garcia replacing Gonzalo Bertranou at scrum-half. Bertranou has dropped out of the squad with Lautaro Bazan Velez coming onto the bench. Winger Mateo Carreras and flanker Marcos Kremer return to the squad and will start from the bench. Prediction: While France will be on a high after their 30-29 victory over the All Blacks, coach Galthié will demand a cleaner performance from his side, who were scrappy at times in Paris last week. Having come close in Ireland, Argentina will be desperate to knock off another top nation this year, having already recorded wins over New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in the Rugby Championship. Felipe Contepomi's side are developing into a well rounded outfit. Their scrum has long been feared by other teams, but their backline and attacking prowess is becoming more of a strength with every game. The battle between fly-halfs Tomas Albornoz and French counterpart Thomas Ramos will be an intriguing one. In front of home fans though, France will hope to show their success last week was no fluke, and come away with a win that sets them up for a tilt at Six Nations success. France by 6 -- James Regan. Ireland vs. Fiji Time: Saturday, Nov. 23 at 3.10 p.m. UK [2.10 a.m. Sunday AEST] Stadium: Aviva Stadium, Dublin. How to watch: TNT Sports / discovery+.  Ireland: Andrew Porter, Gus McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Cormac Izuchukwu, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Craig Casey, Sam Prendergast, Jacob Stockdale, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Mack Hansen, Jamie Osborne. Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Tom O'Toole, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson, Cian Prendergast, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley, Stuart McCloskey.  Fiji: Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere, Luke Tagi, Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua, Meli Derenalagi, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani, Caleb Muntz, Ponipate Loganimasi, Josua Tuisova, Waisea Nayacalevu, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Vuate Karawalevu. Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Haereiti Hetet, Samu Tawake, Setareki Turagacoke, Albert Tuisue, Peni Matawalu, Vilimoni Botitu, Sireli Maqala. Team news: Young flyhalf Sam Prendergast will make his first Ireland start after an impressive debut off the bench last week, one of seven changes that includes first caps for flanker Cormac Izuchukwu and hooker Gus McCarthy. Coach Andy Farrell was exasperated with Ireland's second half performance last week but heaped praise on how the "composed" 21-year-old Prendergast controlled the game and helped defend a three-point lead when he came on for the last quarter. The emergence of Prendergast, a highly touted prospect who was still a member of Leinster's academy 15 months ago, adds to the contest to fill Johnny Sexton's No. 10 jersey that Munster's Jack Crowley initially wrestled control of. Elsewhere, Leinster's Jamie Osborne, nominated this week for the World Rugby breakthrough player of the year award, comes in at fullback to win his fifth cap after a similarly eye-catching cameo off the bench last week. The other changes include a recall for the rejuvenated Jacob Stockdale, the 28-year-old Ulster winger who is Ireland's joint-sixth highest all-time try scorer but has struggled to capture top form in recent years. Bundee Aki also returns at centre and Craig Casey gets a start at scrum-half in a side that is still stacked with Six Nations winners and not treating the Fijians lightly. Prediction: Ireland have not quite looked their imperious, usual selves this month after a disappointing defeat against the All Blacks was followed up by a narrow victory against Argentina. They will be looking to send a message against Fiji and have field a strong side to do just that. It seems likely that Ireland steamroll to victory, but Fiji have the talent to make a game of it if Ireland fail to find top form again. Ireland by 15. -- Connor O'Halloran Wales vs. South Africa Time: Saturday, Nov. 22 at 5.40 p.m. UK [4.40 a.m. Sunday AEST] Stadium: Principality Stadium, Cardiff. How to watch: TNT Sports / discovery+ / S4C / BBC iPlayer.  Wales: Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (captain), Archie Griffin, Will Rowlands, Christ Tshiunza, James Botham, Jac Morgan, Taine Plumtree, Ellis Bevan, Sam Costelow, Rio Dyer, Ben Thomas, Max Llewellyn, Tom Rogers, Blair Murray.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Eddie James, James Hathaway.  South Africa: Ox Nche, Johan Grobbelaar, Thomas du Toit, Jean Kleyn, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (captain), Elrigh Louw, Jasper Wiese, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Aphelele Fassi. Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard. Team news: Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has selected brothers Jaden Hendrikse and Jordan Hendrikse at scrum-half and fly-half, respectively, the first time the brothers will play together for South Africa. The rest of the backline is the same as the one that started against England last week. Hooker Bongi Mbonambi drops out of the side, replace by Johan Grobbelaar, while Thomas du Toit also joins the front-row in place of Wilco Louw. The second-row is completely changed with Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman moving to the bench, rotated for Jean Kleyn and Franco Mostert. Siya Kolisi and Jasper Wiese keep their places in the back row, while Elrigh Louw replaces Pieter-Steph du Toit. Warren Gatland has made four changes to his starting side, with winger Rio Dyer a welcome return, as Blair Murray shifts to fullback. Fly-half Sam Costelow makes his first start of the autumn, replacing Gareth Anscombe who drops out of the squad. In the forwards, the injured Josh Hathaway is replaced by Christ Tshiunza. Aaron Wainwright has also been left out, with Taine Plumtree starting at No. 8. Prediction: This is far from the ideal way to finish the year for Wales, who will have lost every Test in a calendar year for the first time since 1937 should South Africa win in Cardiff. Gatland's future remains up in the air and things won't get any easier this week. The Springboks' depth seems never-ending, with Erasmus' rotation of his squad in no way diminishing their side. Things could get ugly for Wales. Even if they are hanging on come the second half, you can be sure the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Malcolm Marx and Hondre Pollard will come on and turn the screws. South Africa are streets ahead in terms of ability, experience and, perhaps crucially, confidence. South Africa by 42. -- James Regan.
Italy vs. New Zealand Time: Saturday, Nov. 22 at 8.10 p.m. UK [7.10 a.m. Sunday AEST] Stadium: Allianz Stadium, Turin. How to watch: TNT Sports / discovery+.  Italy: Danilo Fischetti, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Marco Riccioni, Federico Ruzza, Dino Lamb, Sebastian Negri, Manuel Zuliani, Ross Vintcent, Martin Page-Relo, Paolo Garbisi, Monty Ioane, Tommaso Menoncello, Juan Ignacio Brex (captain), Jacopo Trulla, Ange Capuozzo. Replacements: Marco Zanon, Leonardo Marin, Alessandro Garbisi, Alessandro Izekor, Niccolo Cannone, Simone Ferrari, Mirco Spagnolo, Giacomo Nicotera.  New Zealand: Will Jordan, Mark Tele'a, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Scott Barrett (captain), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa'i, Peter Lakai, TJ Perenara, David Havili, Damian McKenzie. Team news: New Zealand's former captain Sam Cane and scrum-half TJ Perenara will get the chance to play for the All Blacks for a final time after being picked by coach Scott Robertson to face Italy. Cane, who has 103 caps, will line up on the open side of the scrum in a switch to the loose trio with Samipeni Finau out with concussion. It means Ardie Savea moves back to No. 8 with Wallace Sititi now on the blindside. Perenara, with 88 caps, has been named as replacement scrum-half and will likely get a run out to mark the end of his All Blacks career. Prediction: If this Test was being played right after this year's Six Nations, you could make a case for Italy potentially being able to cause an upset. That doesn't look possible this week, though. Italy have underwhelmed this month, with a significant 50-18 defeat to Argentina followed by a narrow in over Georgia. The All Blacks shouldn't be troubled too much in this one. New Zealand by 20. -- Connor O'Halloran
Scotland vs. Australia Time: Sunday, Nov. 23 at 1.40 p.m. UK [12.40 a.m. Monday AEST] Stadium: Murrayfield, Edinburgh. How to watch: TNT Sports / discovery+.  Scotland:
Replacements:  Australia: Replacements: Team news: Prediction:
England vs. Japan Time: Sunday, Nov. 23 at 4.10 p.m. UK [3.10 a.m. Monday AEST] Stadium: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. How to watch: TNT Sports / discovery+.  England: Replacements:  Japan:
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