Ireland v South Africa
With Bundee Aki in detention for being a bad boy and Robbie Henshaw pulling a hamstring in training, Stuart McCloskey is at last getting a start in a big game. Fellow Ulsterman Flying Robert Baloucoune also starts on the wing, with Rob Herring and Kieran Treadwell on the bench. Springboks better be careful! Ireland by 5 (McCloskey try).
Italy v Samoa
Hard to predict as I’ve no idea what Samoa’s form is like, but they may benefit from some poached players returning. Draw.
Scotland v Fiji
Fiji are never a side to be discounted, but a strong Scotland will do the business, even without Finn’s flair. Scotland by 15.
Wales v New Zealand
With half the first-choice starters injured (and Halfpenny currently an injury doubt too), this can only go one way. NZ by 38. (It would have been 48, but talisman AWJ is on the bench.)
France v Australia
France have rediscovered Gallic flair and are currently a truly frightening side to face. They are also hosting the World Cup next year, and will want to put on a good display. Wobblies are wobbly. France by 15.
England v Argentina
Eddie Jones has named a tired side, albeit with Marcus Smith at fly-half and a new bloke. As astutely pointed out by the notablog denizens, Billy Vunipola is unlikely to last more than 20 minutes. Argentina by 2.
Onna telly this week
Friday 4th November
| Northampton v Exeter | 19:45 | BT Sport 1 |
Saturday 5th November
| England v Canada (women) | 03:30 | ITV |
| France v New Zealand (women) | 06:30 | ITV |
| Scotland v Fiji | 13:00 | Amazon Prime |
| Sale v Gloucester | 13:00 | BT Sport 2 |
| Italy v Samoa | 13:00 | Amazon Prime |
| Wales v New Zealand | 15:15 | Amazon Prime |
| Ireland v South Africa | 17:30 | Amazon Prime |
| France v Australia | 20:00 | Amazon Prime |
Sunday 6th November
| Pau v Bordeaux | 14:10 | Viaplay (formerly Premier Sports) |
| England v Argentina | 14:15 | Amazon Prime |
Ovally Balls 
It’s a red for the Fijian 6. Carbery off for an HIA.
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And now a yellow!
‘Nother Ulsterman, O’Toole, on for Furlong.
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Try Italy! Capuzzo with a great break. Italy lead by 10, less than 15 minutes left. They would be more comfortable if Allan could kick. He’s got 4 out of 8 today.
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Great try by Italy! What lovely hands!
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Oz get one back. Double boo. Back within 3.
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Hmph. Non-Ulsterman furra liiinnneee.
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Fiji replacement scrum-half scores.
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Italy lead by 6!
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NNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Australia get a try at the end! Conversion to win it. BBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Not that I’m biased or anything.
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He missed!!!!!! Italy win!
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Can you believe it! What a win for Italy!
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What a terrific result for Italy
Capuozzo is just brilliant
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Cian Healy scores!
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What’s happened to Ireland? Thought they were gonna steamroller Fiji in the 2nd half? Too many Ulstermen?
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Yay, Azzuri. Disgusted at myself, thought I had Italy by 3 in the bru, but for some reaon I had picked us. Damn. Italy look a great team. Tommy Allen has come on a lot at Quins, need to work on his kicking. Two tries for Little Ange. Nice.
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I have just had the joy of watching the last few minutes of the Italy game.
I have no idea what the Italian commentators were saying -but they sounded fantastic!
What a spur for Italian rugby!
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Timoney MotM!
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*scowls at Deebee*
No Sexton. Too many changes.
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Picked Aus, not us. Slade, it gives us a bit of cheer for the day, maybe to make up for another clunky,stuttering performance from England. Are we going to watch backs kicking away three man overlaps again ? Nowell did one last week, and immediately held his head in his hands, it was like a kick had been pre-called, and he was berating himself for not recognising all the space outside him.
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Don’t worry, scheming Big Joe is back – Nowell out with abdominal wall injury in training(!)
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You sure that wasn’t his training nosebag?
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Play the ball you wankers.
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That was a good try in the end, but why in the hell did Cokathingy have no-one in support?
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The wankers seem to be doing okay, SBT!
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Not sure I agree with Japan just chipping away with 3-pointers. Of course my views are usually a curse, so who knows?
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Same, Deebs.
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ooh, Samoa two scores ahead in the league.
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But 24-6 at the break is a big ask for Japan to overturn. England looking far too strong.
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England all square against Samoa with ten to play.
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Samoa try up.
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All squae again.
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Crcking game , a minute to play.
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England actually looking like a team today, rather than a collection of people.
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Golden Point coming up.
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Well, the England backs seem to have enough pace on them this weekend.
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Wow, England knocked out by a drop goal .
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Red Hot Chilli Knickers
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This has been a very good display by England. Japan have had no answers to the power, and on occasion, great precision and timing.
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I’m sure I lip-read Farrell telling Smith not possession away
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I think Itoje is shrinking
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Very good by Italy and even better by England. I expected Italy to win but I certainly didn’t expect England to be so good nor Japan so be so powerless and inaccurate. Actually I had tipped Japan to win.
I wished Jones had stuck with Young, Billy V. and all. Alas, he seemed to have finally seen the light we all saw before him. Steward, Portvliet, Simmonds, even Porter are so much better than those Jones preferred. Still unsure about Itoje as flanker.
As a footnote, could England forwards stop childishly celebrating the tiniest penalty they win, it’s becoming embarassing. Shouldnt detract from their excellent game today.
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Japan were very poor, not near the team of last year let alone the RWC.
LRZ is already burning up the turf, I’m hoping this and the Fra-SA game are both close
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Spent ages trying to get the fecking commentary up on Amazon (despite choosing the commentary option umpteen times) only to find out its bloody Scott Hastings on mains comms.
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He’ll be fine if it’s not Scotland or Edinburgh playing, BB
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@sbt
Have only themselves to blame. Giving away an intercept try in normal time. Then in extra time twice giving possession away in their own half to give drop goal opportunities. That kind of naivety would get.battered in the final vs NZ.
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This is some trench warfare between Wales and Argentina. Wales seem to have found another gear in the last 15 minutes as well.
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The mister was super-grumpy before the match in anticipation, but he’s cheered up now.
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Hard to remain awake in front of the game in Cardiff. And I haven’t had dinner yet.
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OT, even more battered in the final against Australia.
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Not to worry, Flair! I’ll do a minute by minute report of the Boks 6-5 win later for you!
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