π The Autumn Nations Series sees the Southern Hemisphere π sides venture North and return the favour of the Summer Tours. See below for the latest Autumn Nations Series predictions, generated from our machine learning algorithm and updated daily. π₯
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Usually each side plays 3 or 4 matches against a variety of opposition around Europe πͺπΊ – rather than a series against a single opposition as traditionally happens in the Summer Tours.
The Southern Hemisphere sides are usually mid season after having played The Rugby Championship and Pacific Nations Cup, with the Northern Hemisphere sides coming back together again for the first time in many months. This combination of home advantage but lack of playing time, and playing away but with form and cohesion usually makes for some enticing match ups. π₯
Traditional ‘second-tier’Β national teams, such as those from North American and Pacific countries also usually have games. Teams may also play games against non-national teams, such as provinces or clubs, as part of a tour. One of the major Southern Hemisphere teams (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or Argentina) often plays against the invitationalΒ Barbarians Foot ClubΒ in the traditional ‘Final Challenge’, usually atΒ TwickenhamΒ in London.
GRAND SLAM
A touring nation may also have the opportunity to complete aΒ Autumn International Grand SlamΒ by beating the fourΒ home unionsΒ of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Some Grand Slam tours also include a Test match againstΒ France; South Africa achieved a “Five Nations Grand Slam” in 1912β13 and 1951β52.
Australia is the only country to have lost against all four home nations during a Grand Slam tour, on their 1957β58 tour. Australia also lost to France on that tour.
After 1984, Southern Hemisphere sides started to tour the British Isles more frequently, but to play fewer Tests on each tour, and thus there were no Grand Slam tours between 1984 and 1998. However, since 1998 Grand Slam tours have again become quite common, as the number of Tests on each tour has increased. The All Blacks’ tours of 2005 and 2008 were originally planned to include only three Test matches; the late inclusion of matches against Wales and England respectively turned these into Grand Slam tours.
See below for the latest Autumn Nations Series predictions, results, rankings and tips for all the matches, all powered by the Algorithm and refreshed daily. π€