New Zealand, South Africa, and Japan are in action over the coming days, while Argentina are in camp preparing for their own visit to Cardiff on Sunday, 9 November.
It means Wales fans can at least assess the strength and sharpness of most of their opponents before the first ball is kicked in Wales’ autumn campaign after a fraught build-up.
All Blacks Launch Northern Tour in Chicago
The All Blacks will begin their latest Northern Hemisphere tour in Chicago on Saturday night when they face Ireland at Soldier Field (8.10pm UK time).
Head coach Scott Robertson has made four changes to the side that defeated Australia in Perth in the final round of The Rugby Championship.
Ethan de Groot returns from concussion to rejoin Fletcher Newell and Codie Taylor in the front row, with Tamaiti Williams moving to the bench. Lock Josh Lord replaces the injured Patrick Tuipulotu among the replacements, while in the backs
Beauden Barrett returns from a shoulder injury to start at fly-half and win his 142nd cap. Caleb Clarke also comes back on the left wing after recovering from an ankle problem.
“This is an awesome match to kick off our Northern Tour with. Ireland are a strong side and will have a loud contingent of supporters here in Chicago, so we are prepared for a passionate clash on the Soldier Field stage,” said Robertson.
“We’ve had a great week together leading up to the Test and now we are looking forward to the contest.”
The game has been labelled “The Rematch”, recalling Ireland’s landmark 40–29 victory over New Zealand at the same venue in 2016 — their first-ever win against the All Blacks after 111 years of trying.
READ MORE: Louis Rees-Zammit Is Upbeat on Fitness as Wales Prepare for Argentina Test
Since then, Ireland have won five of their last ten meetings, though New Zealand had the upper hand at both the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, knocking the Irish out in the quarter-finals.
New Zealand team: Will Jordan; Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Beauden Barrett, Cam Roigard; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett (captain), Fabian Holland, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Peter Lakai.
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie.
Kolisi Nears Landmark as Springboks Meet Japan
In London, South Africa captain Siya Kolisi will make his 99th international appearance when the world champions take on Japan at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus has rewarded 21-year-old prop Zachary Porthen with his senior debut, while maintaining continuity from the squad that secured a narrow 29–27 victory over Argentina in their final Rugby Championship outing.
“Six players in the group are currently plying their trade in Japan, and we believe their experience of playing in that league and either with or against some of their players will be a bonus for us, but I’m sure Japan will also tap into their knowledge of those players as they prepare for the match,” said Erasmus.
“It’s also good to have a few players back in the mix after missing a few games due to various reasons, and one can sense their excitement to be back in the squad. We felt this is the best team we could field against a quality Japan outfit, who will want to make a strong point against us.
“Japan are a quality team, and they have a top coach in Eddie Jones, so we have no doubt they’ll throw everything at us.
"They beat us in 2015, and they showed what a quality outfit they are in the first half of our 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-final against them.
“We’re expecting them to come out all guns blazing. They also lost by only four points against Australia last weekend, which is a testament to the improvement they have been making.
“Very little separates the top teams in the world, and if you are not on your game both mentally and physically on the day, anything can happen. So, we will treat them with the utmost respect, and we also know how important this match will be to set the tone for the rest of our tour.”
South Africa team: Cheslin Kolbe; Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach; Ox Nche, Malcom Marx, Zachary Porthen, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, Ruan Nortje, Andre Esterhuizen, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok.
For Japan head coach Eddie Jones, the fixture revives a familiar rivalry. He has beaten South Africa four times out of five in games played in England — most famously the “Miracle of Brighton” at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
“We understand it’s a big challenge for us but it’s not one that we will shy away from. In fact we’re excited by the prospect of playing South Africa – playing with a lot of physicality, speed when it’s appropriate and playing good, smart rugby,” said Jones.
“We’ve prepared like that, and I feel the players are in a good position to really take the game to the Springboks. In terms of our preparation, we came off the Australian game with two good training days in Tokyo, travelled on Wednesday and then had a light run on Thursday.
“The players are in good spirits and are looking forward to the challenge of playing against the best team in the world.”
Japan team: Yoshitaka Yazaki; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Charlie Lawrence, Tomoki Osada; Seungsin Lee, Shinobu Fujiwara; Kenta Kobayashi, Kenji Sato, Shuhei Takeuchi, Jack Cornelsen, Warner Dearns (captain), Ben Gunter, Kanji Shimokawa, Michael Leitch.
Replacements: Shodai Hirao, Ryosuke Iwaihara, Keijiro Tamefusa, Tyler Paul, Faulua Makisi, Kenta Fukuda, Sam Greene, Tiennan Costley.
Argentina Building Towards Cardiff Test
While their future Welsh opponents face competitive matches, Argentina are focusing on preparation.
Head coach Felipe Contepomi has assembled a 34-man squad ahead of next weekend’s clash in Cardiff, with a further 30 players representing an Argentina XV in warm-up fixtures against Munster (Saturday) and Bristol Bears (Friday, 7 November).
The main Pumas squad will travel to Wales next week seeking to build on their strong Rugby Championship campaign and recent World Cup performances.
Autumn Tests Schedule – Principality Stadium
• Sunday 9 November: v Argentina (3.10pm)
• Saturday 15 November: v Japan (5.40pm)
• Saturday 22 November: v New Zealand (3.10pm)
• Saturday 29 November: v South Africa (3.10pm)
