The Big 2024 Autumn Nations Series Preview

The Autumn Nations Series (ANS) always delivers thrilling match-ups, giving England the chance to face the world’s best teams and build momentum. With fixtures against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Japan on consecutive weekends in November, the series will test England’s progress as they prepare for the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations. So, what can we expect this November?

 

Building Momentum from the 2024 Guinness Men’s Six Nations

England’s 2024 Guinness Men’s Six Nations campaign was a mixed one, finishing third overall. Under Steve Borthwick, the team showed promise, claiming wins over Wales and Italy, but lost out to Scotland and narrowly France, with just a two-point difference. England did however experience a heroic last-minute win against Ireland, which sent the fans wild and resulted in a 23-22 win!
Since then, England have been working to refine their tactics and rebuild their squad following retirements and injuries. The ANS offers the perfect opportunity to assess their progress against some of the top teams in world rugby. Let us tell you, their taking on a proper test!

 

England v New Zealand – Saturday 2 November

England kick off their campaign against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, following their summer tour of New Zealand, where they narrowly lost a hard-fought series. Despite the defeat, England showed resilience and improvements in their forwards’ play, which could give them an edge in this rematch.
New Zealand’s strengths are their quick attack and ability to capitalise on turnovers. To compete, England must control the set piece and disrupt the All Blacks at the breakdown. If they can maintain possession, they’ll have a chance in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

England v Australia – Saturday 9 November

Next up, England face their fierce rivals Australia, last meeting them during the 2022 summer tour down under, which England won 2-1. Both teams have made changes since then, introducing new faces and adopting fresh tactical approaches under new management.
Australia’s strengths lie in their dynamic backline and creativity in broken play. England’s task will be to limit their opportunities by winning the breakdown battle. This match could also provide a chance for England to rotate their squad and test some younger players, setting the stage for future household names.

England v South Africa – Saturday 16 November

England’s clash with South Africa will be highly emotional and physical, as the two sides last met in the 2024 Rugby World Cup semi-final, where England narrowly lost to the Springboks. The Springboks physicality and tactical kicking were decisive, and England will need to match that intensity for the full 80 minutes to take control. Elite athletes always relish the chance to play the best team in the world and for the fans it will be great to see the Boks in action. England’s set-piece has improved since their last meeting, and if they can neutralise South Africa’s power in the scrum, their famous “Bomb Squad” and their line out, they’ll have a real chance of securing a morale-boosting win. Expect a bruising, hard-fought 80 minutes.

England v Japan – Sunday 23 November

England close out their Autumn Nations Series against Japan, known for their fast-paced, high-energy rugby. The last time the two teams met in the Autumn Nations Series two years ago, England won comfortably, but Japan’s offloading game, unpredictability and relentlessness mean they can’t be taken lightly.
This match provides an ideal opportunity for England to rotate the squad and give younger players valuable game time while keeping their momentum strong. If England can maintain their structure and discipline, they should finish the series on a high.

Key Squad Changes: Retirements and New Talent

Several senior players have retired following the Rugby World Cup in France last year, including Courtney Lawes, Ben Youngs, Danny Care, leaving gaps in both leadership and experience. However, their departure opens the door for the next generation.
Ben Earl and George Martin have already established themselves as key figures, while Jack van Poortvliet and Alex Mitchell are competing to take over from Youngs at scrum-half. This transition marks the start of a new era for England, with a focus on developing talent for the future.

 

Tactical Shifts Under New Coaches

The coaching team has undergone changes, which could impact England’s style of play. Richard Wigglesworth, the new backs coach, is working on adding more creativity to England’s attack. Meanwhile, Borthwick continues to focus on set-piece dominance and defensive structure—two areas where the team has made steady progress.
This combination of solid defense with a more dynamic attack could give England an edge in the ANS, particularly against teams with varied playing styles.

 

Squad Surprises and New Faces

The England squad for the ANS offers a mix of youth and experience. Emerging talents like Ollie Chessum and Tom Pearson are set to feature more prominently, while stalwarts such as Joe Marler and Elliot Daly will provide leadership.
There have been some surprise omissions, sparking debate among fans. However, the coaching team is clearly focused on building depth and experimenting with different combinations throughout the series.

Conclusion: Unmissable Autumn Rugby

The 2024 Autumn Nations Series offers England the chance to build on their Guinness Men’s Six Nations and Rugby World Cup campaigns. With high-profile fixtures against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Japan, the team will face different challenges that will test both their tactics and squad depth.
This series is an opportunity for younger players to stake their claim and for the team to fine-tune their strategies ahead of the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations. With a blend of fresh talent and experienced leaders, England are well positioned to deliver exciting performances this autumn.
As always, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham will be at the heart of the action, and with Keith Prowse’s premium hospitality experiences, fans can enjoy these thrilling matches in style.

The stage is set — bring on the Autumn Nations Series!