The autumn internationals are just around the corner and both England and Scotland face difficult home meetings with sides from the southern hemisphere as they take on New Zealand and Fiji.
- ENGLAND TO BEAT NEW ZEALAND
- SCOTLAND TO BEAT FIJI BY 13+ POINTS
England vs New Zealand
This will be the third meeting between England and the All Blacks in 2024 and, after New Zealand won the previous two encounters on home soil, England will be hoping to that the Twickenham crowd can help steer them towards victory,
The Red Rose have lost three of their last four internationals, however their recent record at home will provide Steve Borthwick with belief after they won both of their two Twickenham matches in this year’s Six Nations.
New Zealand meanwhile were far from impressive in their recent Rugby Championship appearance, as the reigning champions finished with 16 points - losing three of their six matches including both meetings with eventual winners South Africa.
The All Blacks have won each of their last three but these were against weaker opponents in Australia (twice) and Japan and they could come unstuck against England on Saturday.
ENGLAND TO BEAT NEW ZEALAND
Scotland vs Fiji
Scotland have been in inspired form in 2024 and they will be hoping to make light work of Fiji at Murrayfield in their first meeting with the Flying Fijians since 2022.
Gregor Townsend’s men are on a four-match winning run after comprehensively dispatching Canada (73-12), USA (42-7), Chile (52-17) and Uruguay (31-19) in the summer.
Fiji have also enjoyed plenty of success in 2024, beating the likes of Samoa, Tonga, USA and Japan en route to lifting the Pacific Nations Cup in September - their record-extending seventh success in that competition.
However, Fiji’s record against Tier 1 opposition leaves a lot to be desired with just 16 wins from 118 total meetings - two of these coming against Scotland - and with the hosts in fine scoring form, they look a strong bet to win by a comfortable margin.
SCOTLAND TO BEAT FIJI BY 13+ POINTS