The Autumn Nations Series roars back to life this weekend, bringing a full slate of mouthwatering fixtures between rugby’s northern and southern hemisphere powerhouses. As the November chill sets in, fans will be treated to a blend of old rivalries, new faces, and plenty of tactical intrigue as teams look to build momentum heading into the next global cycle. This opening weekend is always about setting the tone – and 2025’s curtain-raiser promises no shortage of drama.
England vs Australia – Saturday 1 November 2025, Kick-off 15:10, at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (London)
At Twickenham, England welcome Australia in what is always one of rugby’s most storied rivalries. Steve Borthwick’s men will be desperate to make a statement after last year’s narrow defeat to the Wallabies, a match decided by a costly restart error in the final minutes. George Ford starts at fly-half, with Marcus Smith notably missing out, signalling England’s intent to control territory and tempo rather than play loose. Joe Schmidt’s Australia arrive with renewed energy and confidence, having rebuilt steadily since their World Cup woes. Expect a fierce contest at the set-piece, with England looking to dominate the scrum and maul, while the Wallabies aim to inject pace and unpredictability through their backline. Twickenham will demand a fast start – and England cannot afford to be passive early on.
South Africa vs Japan – Saturday 1 November 2025, Kick-off 16:10, at Wembley Stadium (London)
Down in London, South Africa face Japan at Wembley Stadium in what could be one of the weekend’s most fascinating tactical battles. The Springboks, currently among the world’s top-ranked sides, will aim to impose their trademark power game, while Japan – ever the giant-killers – will look to unsettle them with pace, precision, and relentless energy. This fixture will test Japan’s ability to cope with physical pressure and South Africa’s discipline at the breakdown. The Boks are heavy favourites, but Japan’s attacking flair means they can never be entirely written off.
Scotland vs United States – Saturday 1 November 2025, Kick-off 17:40, at Murrayfield Stadium (Edinburgh)
In Edinburgh, Scotland open their campaign against the USA at Murrayfield. On paper, it’s a comfortable fixture for Gregor Townsend’s side, but complacency could be costly. Scotland will use the match to blood new players and test combinations ahead of tougher opposition later in the month. The USA, meanwhile, are fighting to prove their worth on the international stage and will relish the chance to measure themselves against Tier 1 opposition. Expect Scotland to dominate possession, but the real question will be their ability to convert territory into points.
The Americans bring physicality and unpredictability – enough to make it interesting, if only briefly.
Ireland vs New Zealand – Saturday 1 November 2025, Kick-off 20:10 (8:10pm GMT), at Soldier Field (Chicago, USA)
Perhaps the highlight of the weekend comes across the Atlantic, where Ireland meet New Zealand at Chicago’s Soldier Field. It’s a symbolic fixture – the same venue where Ireland famously defeated the All Blacks for the first time back in 2016. Both teams arrive with something to prove: Ireland, now a consistent top-three side, will look to reinforce their global standing, while New Zealand continue their quest to rediscover dominance after a mixed few years. The match-up promises ferocious breakdown battles, world-class kicking duels, and the kind of high-pressure moments that define international rugby. The neutral venue adds an intriguing twist – neither side truly at home, yet both carrying massive expectations.
What the Autumn Nation Series means
Beyond individual results, this opening weekend carries broader significance. The Autumn Nations Series isn’t about silverware, but about shaping identity, testing depth, and earning ranking points that can shift global standings. Coaches will rotate squads, experiment tactically, and blood emerging talent – making these matches as much about future planning as present performance.
For fans, this is the time of year when rugby feels alive again: the crisp air, the packed stadiums, and the collision of styles that define North vs South rugby. Whether it’s England’s set-piece muscle, Scotland’s attacking verve, South Africa’s brute force, or Ireland’s precision, the weekend promises everything that makes the autumn internationals special. The world’s best are back – and the stage is set for another chapter of rugby’s greatest seasonal theatre.
