All Blacks head coach Ian Foster said his team are preparing for a “battle of inches” when they take on Wales in Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series clash in Cardiff.

Despite coming into this encounter on a four-match winning streak, which helped them to silverware in this year’s Rugby Championship, New Zealand have delivered a mixed bag of results as they have won just six out of 10 Tests played in 2022.

Unbeaten against Wales for 69 years

However, the All Blacks have been dominant against Wales over the years as they have won 33 out of 36 Tests between these countries, with the last Wales victory registered in 1953.

But, despite New Zealand’s dominance of this fixture over the years, Foster is wary of his opponents.

“They (Wales) are a team that know their game, they play high-tempo,” he said.

“They are very confident in what they do and very physical, a lot of strong ball-carrying and also they quite like the aerial game, so there is a good mix.

“It is always a battle of inches against them if you don’t do well in that close-carry area, otherwise you open up real opportunities for the backs and they will be excited to take it.

“We love playing here, and we are really up for what we know will be a really physical encounter.”

Foster has rung the changes to the All Blacks’ run-on side after claiming a narrow win over Japan last weekend, and stars like Beauden Barrett, his brother Jordie and Aaron Smith are all set to start.

It will be a momentous occasion for scrum-half Smith as he will make his 113th Test appearance, taking him past legendary fly-half Dan Carter as the All Blacks’ most-capped backline player.

Sam Whitelock takes over the captaincy after regular skipper Sam Cane sustained a tour-ending injury against the Brave Blossoms. Meanwhile, Scott Barrett will partner Whitelock in the engine room after Brodie Retallick was suspended for foul play against Japan.

“There is a passionate rivalry, there is a lot of respect between the two countries,” added Foster.

Close encounters

“There have been some massive occasions where the games have gone down to the wire, and I remember some very close games over the years.

“We look forward to playing here, it’s a special place with the stadium and the Welsh fans, and the Welsh players play for the right reasons.”

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Wasps’ joint administrators have accepted an offer from a group which includes former players to buy the struggling Premiership side.

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The Coventry-based outfit were suspended from England’s top-tier and subsequently relegated to the Championship after they went into administration.

But there is hope that Wasps can begin preparing for the 2023/24 campaign after an offer was accepted from a consortium which included members of Wasps Legends.

Significant step forward

Andrew Sheridan, Joint Administrator and Partner at FRP Advisory, said: “This deal is a significant step forward, and one that we all hope will allow Wasps Rugby to live on.

“The consortium knows that it still has to meet all of the RFU requirements, including the fit and proper owners test and the presentation of a 3-5 year business plan with supporting robust financial forecasts, and that this needs to completed as soon as is practical in order to be in a position to play next season.

“We have informed the RFU about this development and the consortium is fully aware of the rugby creditors rules as set out in Regulation 5 by the RFU.

“We understand that the consortium will seek to work with the RFU, the RPA and their members to reach a reasonable conclusion on those matters.”

Huge debts

Wasps followed fellow Premiership outfit Worcester Warriors in entering administration on October 17 with debts of over £100 million.

However, should the deal be completed, they will begin the process of hiring senior coaching staff as they seek to get back to the top of the English game.

The offer is only for the men’s rugby team and the youth academy with discussions ongoing over the future of the netball side and the women’s rugby team.

Montpellier HSC has officially completed its second transfer of this summer window with the signing of Frenchman Damien Le Tallec. Le Tallec, often deployed as a defensive midfielder or centre back, will be returning to France after six years abroad in Ukraine, Russia, and Serbia. The now Montpellier man joins on a free from Red Star Belgrade with his contract in Serbia expiring at the end of this season.

Le Tallec’s most recent spell in eastern Europe was spent in the Serbian SuperLiga, where he was a key part of Red Star’s impressive Europa League run and SuperLiga title win.  Under the management of head coach Vladan Milojević, Le Tallec often played as a right-sided center back where he was one of his team’s top performers. In the 8 matches he played in the Europa League the defender averaged a 7.28 match rating, good enough for best on his team per WhoScored.

After selling starlet defender Nordi Mukiélé to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, Montpellier will be hoping that Le Tallec can fill its Germany-bound defender’s shoes. Mukiélé was a consistent and adaptable performer, something that Le Tallec is noted for as well. Club president Laurent Nicollin was clearly excited to be signing a new defender, declaring, “I am delighted to have an additional central defender in our squad, which was also a wish for the coach…It’s up to him to show us his value, but we are in any case very happy that he has signed with us.” 

G.M.

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Italy started their Autumn Nations Series with a brilliant 49-17 win over Samoa on Saturday afternoon.

Samoa applied the pressure in the first 10 minutes but failed to score any points before Italy found their feet, kicking a penalty in the 11th minute through Tommaso Allan and scoring two tries in as many minutes through Ignacio Brex Juan and Pierre Bruno. Allan kicked both conversions.

Allan would add another penalty before the visitors had to end the first half with a man down after Nigel Ah Wong was yellow carded for dangerous play.

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Italy wing Monty Ioane made the most of the numerical advantage, scoring either side of half-time to put his team in the driver’s seat. Paolo Garbisi kicked a penalty just before the break, while Allan missed one conversion but added two points for the second try in the 47th minute.

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Samoa then began to find a foothold in the game and, despite the scoreline, kept playing hard until the ball bounced their way. Centre Ulupano Seuteni crossed for the visitors’ first try in the 52nd minute, with D’Angelo Leuila slotting the conversion.

The hosts were dialled in and responded only three minutes later through debutant Lorenzo Cannone, with Garbisi kicking the conversion on this occasion.

Garbisi then crossed the whitewash for a try of his own in the 63rd minute, which Pierre Bruno converted.

From then on, the game opened up, suiting Samoa, who scored two unconverted tries in the last 10 minutes through Duncan Paia’aua and Theo McFarland.

Despite winning all 18 of their previous Tests against Italy, the Wallabies are not underestimating the Azzurri ahead of their Autumn Nations Series clash in Florence.

After starting their end-of-year tour with a nail-biting 16-15 victory over Scotland, Australia suffered a narrow 30-29 defeat to France in Paris last weekend.

The Wallabies have struggled on their end-of-year tours in recent years as they have not won more than one Test while visiting Europe since 2016.

Signs of improvement

They have also not won back-to-back Tests since a five-match winning streak in 2021. They have shown signs of improvement, however, but although they will be favourites to beat Italy, who they last faced in 2018, wing Tom Wright said it’s important that they approach the fixture in the same way to their clash against Les Bleus.

“The main messaging is around that we respect Italy and keep out the outside noise… around what could be perceived as an easy game for us on this tour, or the easiest,” Wright told reporters.

“It’s about making sure that we as a squad front up this week – it’s very easy to get up when you’re playing France or Ireland, the top two teams in the world, so we need to make sure we put the same emphasis on playing well and preparing the same way against Italy.”

Australia head coach Dave Rennie will name his team on Thursday and many Wallabies supporters are keen to see young full-back Jock Campbell, who made his first Test start against France, get another start.

Wright admitted the Wallabies full-back position was a “merry-go-round” with no player able to nail down the spot ahead of the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023.

He believes Campbell, who made his Test debut against Scotland at the age of 27, brought a lot of great qualities to the full-back role.

“It’s been well-publicised around how underrated he’s (Campbell) been and he’s waited for his opportunity for a really long time,” Wright said.

“To see him front up on one of biggest stages in the world, he didn’t shy away from the occasion, executing our game plan.

“There’s been a merry-go-round of guys go through there (fullback), me included, and Jock is cool, calm and collected and extremely well liked by the group.

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“You saw in his performance, not a lot rattles him.”

Campbell and Wright both missed tackles on the Les Bleus flyer Damien Penaud as he crossed for the match-winning try in Paris in that game’s closing stages.

Wright said he took responsibility for the defensive error while there were plenty of positives to take from the Paris match.

Owning up

“It sucked for the group, sucked for me and Jock but I’ve just got to own that moment,” he said.

“The team review, we didn’t just look at the last try and think how shit was that game, we looked at the first 75-odd minutes and what we did really well.

“We know Italy are going to be no slouch this weekend, especially at home and it’s a new environment for a lot of guys.

“It’s certainly been a focus point for us, making sure that we show up, especially coming after a performance that we were proud of.”

Ligue 1 side Lille are in advanced talks with young attacker Jonathan Ikoné, whose PSG contract expires in 12 months, according to Foot Mercato.

The 20-year-old versatile forward player spent this season on loan at Montpellier, but has decided that he does not want to join MHSC permanently.

France Football report that the fee involved will be €5m, with Paris United adding that Aston Villa made an enquiry for Ikoné last week without taking any further action.

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The 20-year-old is expected to complete the move to Lille in the coming hours.

PSG yesterday concluded an agreement to sell Spanish left-back Yuri Berchiche to La Liga outfit Athletic Bilbao for €24m including bonuses, according to Le Parisien.

This deal take Les Parisiens over the required amount in terms of sales required to satisfy Financial Fair Play, following the sales of Odsonne Edouard (Celtic – €8m + €2m) and Javier Pastore (AS Roma – €20m + €4m).

The deal will be made official in the coming days, with Yuri set to sign a 4-year contract worth €4.5m per annum.

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Former Wallaby Drew Mitchell has questioned coach Dave Rennie’s team selection after Australia lost to Italy for the first time ever.

Rennie made 11 changes to his starting XV for the clash that Italy claimed 28-27 in Florence in a thrilling Autumn Nations Series match.

Tough run of form

The loss means the Wallabies have only won two of their last eight games – a worrying run of form so close to next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Mitchell believes that so many changes in the starting line-up influenced the Wallabies’ mental approach to the game.

“Subconsciously it gives you the mindset you’re expected to win … that’s poor coaching,” Mitchell said on Stan Sport’s coverage. “[The Wallabies are] seventh in the world. You’re not in a position to make 12 changes.”

Meanwhile, Rennie defended his decision to make so many changes claiming it was important to rotate and manage the players’ workloads.

“I mean it’s not much more changes than we made the week before. There were a couple of extra bodies that we would have played today had they not been injured from the French game. We picked squads a long way out … we looked at how we’re going to give ourselves the best chance to win all five games on tour. We had a good enough side out on the paddock to win,” Rennie said.

“It’s hugely disappointing. It’s not good enough. All I can say is it’s hurting. You go into the change room and the boys are hurt. They know we’re better than that. I understand the frustration [of fans].

“It hurts everyone involved. We had a good enough side on the field but we just gave up too many soft points and possession and territory.”

Impressive Italy

Italy coach Kieran Crowley has done tremendous work with the Azzurri and was bursting with pride after an historic win.

The New Zealand-born coach felt the Wallabies’ team selection was not disrespectful to Italy at all.

“We’re planning to have a party tonight,” said Crowley, “It was outstanding. We asked them to die for Italy and I think they did today.”

“We do not think they disrespected us at all. They’re all Super Rugby players or [playing] in France or wherever it may be. You manage your players and put the team out you think is going to do the job for you.

“If Australia kicked that last goal, you probably wouldn’t be asking that last question.”

Check out the teams ahead of the second weekend of the Autumn Nations Series, which is headlined by France’s clash with South Africa and Scotland’s game against New Zealand.

Saturday

Italy v Australia
Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence

Italy: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Pierre Bruno, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Montanna Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Giacomo Nicotera, 17 Ivan Nemer, 18 Pietro Ceccarelli, 19 David Sisi, 20 Toa Halafihi, 21 Alessandro Garbisi, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Tommaso Menoncello

Australia: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Matt Gibbon
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Jordan Petaia

Ireland v Fiji
Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Ireland: 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Jamison Gibson Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Caelan Doris, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Kieran Treadwell, 3 Tadhg Furlong (c), 2 Rob Herring, 1 Jeremy Loughman
Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Cian Prendergast, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Garry Ringrose

Fiji: 15 Setareki Tuicuvu, 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 12 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 11 Vinaya Habosi, 10 Teti Tela, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Levani Botia, 6 Albert Tuisue, 5 Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Sam Matavesi, 1 Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Livai Natave, 18 Lee-Roy Atalifo, 19 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 20 John Dyer, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Adrea Cocagi

England v Japan
Twickenham, London

England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Guy Porter, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jonny May, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Maro Itoje, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 David Ribbans, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Manu Tuilagi

Japan: 15 Ryohei Yamanaka, 14 Kotaro Matsushima, 13 Dylan Riley, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 11 Gerhard Van den Heever, 10 Takuya Yamasawa, 9 Yutaka Nagare, 8 Tevita Tatafu, 7 Kazuki Himeno, 6 Michael Leitch, 5 Jack Cornelsen, 4 Warner Dearns, 3 Jiwon Gu, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 1 Keita Inagaki
Replacements: 16 Kosuke Horikoshi, 17 Craig Millar, 18 Yusuke Kizu, 19 Wimoie Van der Walt, 20 Pieter Labuschagne, 21 Naoto Saito, 22 Seungsin Lee, 23 Siosaia Fifita

Wales v Argentina
Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Wales: 15 Louis Rees-Zammit, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Justin Tipuric (c), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Ben Carter, 20 Jac Morgan, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Owen Watkin

Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Mateo Carreras, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Martín González, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Matías Alemanno, 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela, 2 Julián Montoya (c), 1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Lucas Paulos, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Eliseo Morales, 22 Tomás Albornoz, 23 Matías Orlando

France v South Africa
Stade de France, Paris

France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Yoram Moefana, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Bastien Chalureau, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Matthieu Jalibert

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Makazole Mapimpi

Sunday

Barbarians v All Blacks XV
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

Barbarians:

All Blacks XV: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Levi Aumua, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Dominic Gardiner, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 4 Josh Dickson, 3 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Brodie McAlister, 1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Finlay Brewis, 18 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 19 Zach Gallagher, 20 Christian Lio-Willie, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Bailyn Sullivan

Scotland v New Zealand
Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Scotland:

New Zealand:

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Rennes President Olivier Létang today discussed the amount of offers made for players in his current squad in a press conference.

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“Nobody has contacted us for our players, only a Turkish club made an offer from Mexer, which was minimal, but we want to keep him.”

The bid is believed to have come from Trabzonspor.