November Internationals 2021: Round 1 Predictions

The November Internationals kick off this weekend, even though it’s still October, and actually that has a bearing on team news and our predictions for the opening matches.

Most teams begin their campaigns next weekend, but Wales v New Zealand and Scotland v Tonga take place on Saturday, outside the World Rugby international window, and therefore clubs are not obliged to release their players to their countries.

With that in mind, here are my November Internationals predictions for this weekend.

Scotland v Tonga

The Scotland team is made up entirely of Edinburgh and Glasgow players, which should lend some familiarity in key positions, but they are missing captain Stuart Hogg and playmaker Finn Russell. Ali Price of Glasgow and Blair Kinghorn of Edinburgh form the half-back pairing, and given the Scots haven’t played a Test since the Six Nations, I’d expect a degree of rustiness. Scotland by 26

Wales v New Zealand

The Welsh squad depth will be sternly tested this week, with hordes of players missing - Dan Biggar, Taulupe Faletau and Louis Rees-Zammit remain with their non-Welsh clubs, George North, Leigh Halfpenny and Justin Tipuric are amongst those missing through injury, and Willis Halaholo has been denied a first cap after testing positive for Covid. The All Blacks probably would have won the match anyway, but a big score is looking more and more likely. New Zealand by 25

Good luck with your own picks in Round 1.