By Charlie Elliott
The last weekend of the Autumn Nations Series means that players and teams have a chance to salvage some dignity or continue good form.
With it being the last chance to impress on the test level for a while, the final impression is often the most important.
Winning key battles will be essential for this impression, and here are ten of the key matchups you need to look out for this weekend.
France v Argentina
Thomas Ramos v Tomas Albornoz
Two of the best number tens come head-to-head in France v Argentina, both players are similar in that their immense quality both with ball in hand and from kicking means that they accumulate insane amounts of points for their teams.
These two are similar players in many ways, and whoever comes out on top will do their team a world of good.
The score that these two will put up will probably look sufficient for their whole team on its own.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey v Rodrigo Isgro
Although starting on different wings, these two are two of the most exciting wingers in the world right now.
Bielle-Biarrey is becoming increasingly known for his speed, having just outpaced Sevu Reece in his previous test against the All Blacks.
Isgro is another star on the up, having started off extremely well for Premiership side Harlequins, and if anyone is going to stop ‘The Rocket’ then it will be the former World 7s Mens Player of the Year.
Ireland v Fiji
Bundee Aki v Josua Tuisova
There is nothing better to watch than a monstrous centre who can do it all, and luckily two of these come up against each other in the form of Bundee Aki and Josua Tuisova.
Aki is the man who many believe is the best in his position in the world, but has been out of form recently, like his side.
Tuisova is in the ascendancy form-wise, and Fiji have looked good this Autumn Nations Series, so a potential upset may be on the cards in Dublin.
Sam Prendergast v Caleb Muntz
21 year-old Sam Prendergast has a tough ask in his first ever test start, coming up against Fijian fly-half Caleb Muntz.
Muntz has been prolific for his country this Autumn, no less so than against Wales where he amassed 19 points in their historic win.
Many say that ten is the most impactful position in rugby, and inexperience may cost Ireland if Muntz is on form.
Wales v South Africa
Gareth Thomas v Ox Nche
South Africa’s physicality is well documented, and Ox Nche is no different at prop.
Arguably the best in his position in the world right now, with a lot of rotation in his Springboks side for the Wales game, he will be crucial for holding it down.
He faces Gareth Thomas, an experience prop for Ospreys, who started in Wales’ first ever victory in South Africa and will be looking to keep his side in the game and not let it get embarrassing.
Italy v New Zealand
Juan Ignacio Brex v Rieko Ioane
Italy needs to step up their performance levels from their previous game against Georgia if they are to keep it respectable against the All Blacks, with their opposition coming off a narrow defeat and will be hugely up for this match.
Juan Ignacio Brex is crucial to these performance levels, as captain on the night, he must win his battle against Reiko Ioane to lift his side and make them believe.
Ioane is no easy prospect, with the Blues centre possessing some incredible pace and strength, and just being electric in general.
Scotland v Australia
Huw Jones v Joseph Sua’ali’i
At 13, test experience faces test inexperience. Huw Jones has been around Scotland’s national team since 2016, and has been a standout player for a lot of that time.
With the hype surrounding Sua’ali’i it is easy to forget that this will be only his third ever professional rugby union game.
This will be the hardest test for him so far in his short career, and the intelligence of Huw Jones could prove too much for the inexperience still evident at times in Sua’ali’i’s game.
Despite this, the talent is clear to see and if he has a good performance his stock will rise even higher.
Duhan van der Merwe v Harry Potter
On the wing, Duhan van der Merwe is a name synonymous with Scottish rugby, and similar to Jones he faces an unproven test player in Australian Harry Potter.
26-year-old English born Potter makes his debut for the Wallabies at Murrayfield and will hope to continue his form that saw him earn his place in the national setup.
It will be a mammoth task for Potter but if his name is anything to go by then magic could happen on the pitch.
England v Japan
Marcus Smith v Nicholas McCurran
Marcus Smith has been a shining light despite England’s poor Autumn campaign, and will look to end it on a high before going back to club side Harlequins.
Nicholas McCurran is his opposite number at 10, and the Kiwi-born player faces a stern task if he is to stop an England and Smith onslaught.
George Furbank v Takuro Matsunaga
George Furbank still has something to prove as an England player, with caps coming few and far between. He has evident qualities and just needs a consistent run of games.
For this reason, he will be well up for the Japan game, and his battle at full-back with Takuro Matsunaga should be pretty one sided.
Matsunaga is only 1.72m tall and may struggle to keep up physically with England’s team.
If Furbank fails to perform then he may become even more out of favour than before, so this is a match with huge pressure on him.
READ MORE: Autumn Nations Series Match Previews
