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Ireland and All Blacks back in Chicago with memories of 2016 on the mind

  • Ireland’s Caelan Doris making comeback from injury

  • World champions South Africa play Japan at Wembley

It is back to where it started for Ireland. And by “it” we mean any kind of success against the All Blacks. With that, of course, comes credibility on the world stage, a status they still enjoy.

On Saturday night, UK and Ireland time, afternoon in the United States, Ireland take on New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago. Before any considerations of team news and vibes, the words Ireland, New Zealand and Soldier Field will transport many a rugby fan back not quite nine years. On 5 November 2016, Ireland, at the 29th time of asking, finally prevailed over the All Blacks, 111 years after their first shot at them. And how. No ugly scrap by a plucky underdog here, but an exhilarating 40 points and five tries under a Chicago sun.

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Australia’s Harry Wilson rejects claims Wallabies use illegal breakdown tactics

  • Borthwick has highlighted entering rucks from the side

  • Wilson denies Wallabies use dangerous or illegal tactics

Australia’s captain, Harry Wilson, has rejected a claim made on the eve of their clash with England that the Wallabies use illegal breakdown tactics.

The Daily Telegraph reported that England head coach, Steve Borthwick, has highlighted Australia’s alleged ploy of deliberately entering rucks from the side when he met referee Nika Amashukeli before Saturday’s Twickenham showdown. Player welfare concerns were also raised over the tourists’ approach to clear-outs.

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T20 international: Mitch Marsh hits quick-fire 46 as Australia beat India by four wickets

  • All-rounder helps hosts into 1-0 series lead in Melbourne

  • MCG holds minute’s silence for teenager Ben Austin

A lethal spell from Josh Hazlewood has propelled Australia to an emphatic four-wicket Twenty20 win over India in front of 82,438 fans at the MCG.

After the opening game of the five-match series in Canberra was washed out on Wednesday night, Australia went 1-0 up with a commanding performance.

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Having a ball-player is important but England also need a bit of beef, and that’s Freeman | Ugo Monye

Centre pairing of Northampton duo Tommy Freeman and Fraser Dingwall is unconventional but exciting, as is the depth of England’s squad

Optimism is often manufactured at the start of a campaign. Everyone goes in believing they can win every game, but there is a mood of true optimism around England before the autumn series. Considering they have won their last seven matches, had their best finish to a Six Nations for five years, and then won a summer series in Argentina, I think it’s fair to have confidence. Argentina beat the British & Irish Lions and England won there despite having 13 players away in Australia, plus one of the coaches.

The amount of Prem players excelling and the level in that competition also makes me excited for what England can achieve in November, starting with Australia on Saturday. Steve Borthwick is growing into the job and is more confident in what he’s doing: turbulence may not be the right word for the early days of his tenure, but I think people expected more. As fans we want immediate results, but coaches tend to have a “helicopter” view and understand the direction of travel.

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