The southern hemisphere big guns have touched down in Europe for the Quilter Nations Series and there is much to look forward to over the next five weekends
World ranking 6
Perhaps the most frustrating side on the international circuit, capable of imperious and infuriating performances in equal measure. Their inconsistency is best summed up with a Rugby Championship campaign in which they lost their first match to New Zealand and Australia before winning the second. And they might have made it three in a row if their “home” fixture against South Africa had not been at Twickenham. Still, when they are on song they have a back row and a backline to die for.
Travel is no longer a problem given almost all their frontline players are based in England or France and two wins from matches against Wales, Scotland and England would represent progress in so far as demonstrating that they can bring their ability to win on the road to the northern hemisphere. The scrum is an area in need of improvement but there is much to like about the side Felipe Contepomi has built and it is worth keeping an eye on the fly-half Gerónimo Prisciantelli who looked assured on debut against the Springboks.
November fixtures Wales (Sun 9th), Scotland (Sun 16th), England (Sun 23rd)
