Fall internationals kick-off!

The Northern Hemisphere Autumn Tours get underway this weekend with a full menu of tantalyzing test match rugby.

Canadian interest will be directed to Thomond Park in Limerick, where the Maple Leafs face Ireland for the first time since their 27-27 sister-kisser in a heatwave at Fletcher's Fields in 2000. The Irish should prevail with some comfort, but the Canadian forward pack has loads of experience, and the backs have some untested speed out wide.

Check Setanta Sports and Mediazone Rugby Channel for broadcast times and viewing options.

Other test matches of note include Scotland hosting the All Blacks at Murrayfield. The two teams have been competing for a century, and Scotland is still looking to claim their first victory over the Kiwis. New Zealand has blooded a few greenhorns - rotation seems to back in style - with Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Brad Thorn all sitting. Keven Mealamu gets his first ever chance captaining his side and the ABs could be ripe for the plucking if Scotland can lift themselves ~ and referee Wayne Barnes tilts the playing field.

And France hosts nemesis Argentina. The Pumas have beaten France six of the last times they have faced France, including the famous upset to kick-off RWC 2007. The last time the French beat Argentina was in 2006, scraping home to win by a single point in Paris.

IRELAND vs CANADA

Ireland: 1. Marcus Horan, 2. Jerry Flannery, 3. Tony Buckley, 4. Donncha O'Callaghan, 5. Paul O'Connell, 6. Stephen Ferris, 7. Shane Jennings, 8. Jamie Heaslip, 9. Eoin Reddan, 10. Ronan O'Gara, 11. Robert Kearney, 12. Luke Fitzgerald, 13. Brian O'Driscoll (c), 14. Tommy Bowe, 15. Keith Earls. Reserves (From): Rory Best, John Hayes, Ryan Caldwell, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Paddy Wallace, Peter Stringer, Shane Horgan.

Canada: 1. Kevin Tkachuk, 2. Pat Riordan (c), 3. Jon Thiel, 4. Mike Burak, 5. Josh Jackson, 6. Sean Michael Stephen, 7. Adam Kleeberger, 8. Aaron Carpenter, 9. Ed Fairhurst, 10. Ander Monro, 11. Justin Mensah-Coker, 12. Ryan Smith, 13. Bryn Keys, 14. Ciaran Hearn, 15. James Pritchard. Reserves: 16. Mike Pletch, 17. Frank Walsh, 18. Tyler Hotson, 19. Jebb Sinclair, 20. Morgan Williams, 21. Matt Evans, 22. Phil Mackenzie

Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Thomond Park
Kick-off: 17:15 GMT (12:15 p.m. ET (Toronto, New York))
Weather: Muggy, showers, and a strong southerly wind 25 km/h
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales), Carlo Damasco (Italy)
Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
Assessor: Bob Francis (New Zealand)

CAN vs IRE : Rugby Heaven preview, click here.
CAN vs IRE : Rugby Planet preview, click here.


ITALY vs AUSTRALIA

Italy: 1. Salvatore Perugini, 2. Leonardo Ghiraldini, 3. Carlos Nieto, 4. Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 5. Marco Bortolami, 6. Josh Sole, 7. Mauro Bergamasco, 8. Sergio Parisse (c), 9. Pablo Canavosio, 10. Andrea Marcato, 11. Mirco Bergamasco, 12. Gonzalo Garcia, 13. Gonzalo Canale, 14. Kaine Robertson, 15. Andrea Masi. Reserves: 16. Fabio Ongaro, 17. Matias Aguero, 18. Tommaso Reato, 19. Alessandro Zanni, 20. Giulio Toniolatti, 21. Luciano Orquera, 22. Matteo Pratichetti.

Australia: 1. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Matt Dunning, 4. Mark Chisholm, 5. Hugh McMeniman, 6. Dean Mumm, 7. Phil Waugh, 8. Richard Brown, 9. Luke Burgess, 10. Berrick Barnes, 11. Digby Ioane, 12. Timana Tahu, 13. Stirling Mortlock (c), 14. Lachie Turner, 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper. Reserves: 16. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17. Sekope Kepu, 18 Wycliff Palu, 19. David Pocock, 20. Matt Giteau, 21. Quade Cooper, 22. James O'Connor.

Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Stadio Euganeo, Padova
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT) (9:00 a.m. ET (Toronto, New York))
Weather: Overcast, warm, barely any wind, but damp underfoot after a couple of days' rain. Perfect!
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Television match official: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
Assessor: Tappe Henning (South Africa)

ITA vs AUS : Rugby Heaven preview, click here.
ITA vs AUS : Rugby Planet preview, click here.


ENGLAND vs PACIFIC ISLANDS

England: 1. Andrew Sheridan, 2. Lee Mears, 3. Matt Stevens, 4. Steve Borthwick (c), 5. Nick Kennedy, 6. Tom Croft, 7. Tom Rees, 8. Nick Easter, 9. Danny Care, 10. Dan Cipriani, 11. Ugo Monye, 12. Riki Flutey, 13. Jamie Noon, 14. Paul Sackey, 15. Delon Armitage. Reserves: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Phil Vickery, 18 Tom Palmer, 19 James Haskell, 20 Michael Lipman, 21 Harry Ellis, 22 Toby Flood.

Pacific Islands: 1. Justin Va'a (Samoa), 2. Aleki Lutui (Tonga), 3. Census Johnston (Samoa), 4. Filipo Levi (Samoa), 5. Kele Leawere (Fiji), 6. Semisi Naevo (Fiji), 7. Nili Latu (Tonga), 8. Finau Maka (Tonga), 9. Mosese Rauluni (Fiji), 10. Pierre Hola (Tonga), 11. Vilimoni Delasau (Fiji), 12. Seilala Mapusua (Samoa), 13. Seru Rabeni (Fiji), 14. Sailosi Tagicakibau (Samoa), 15. Kameli Ratuvou (Fiji). Reserves: 16. Sunia Koto (Fiji), 17. Kisi Pulu (Tonga), 18. Hale T Pole (Tonga), 19. George Stowers (Samoa), 20. Sililo Martens (Tonga), 21. Seremaïa Bai (Fiji), 22. Epi Taione (Tonga).

Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Twickenham, London
Kick-off: 14.30 GMT (9:30 a.m. ET (Toronto, New York))
Weather: Heavy rain with a strong southerly wind
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Touch judges: Stuart Dickinson (Australia), Tim Hayes (Wales)
Television match official: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Assessor: Dennis Immelman (South Africa)

ENG vs PI : Rugby Heaven preview, click here.
ENG vs PI : Rugby Planet preview, click here.


WALES vs SOUTH AFRICA

Wales: 1. Gethin Jenkins, 2. Matthew Rees, 3. Adam Jones, 4. Alun-Wyn Jones, 5. Ian Evans, 6. Ryan Jones (c), 7. Martyn Williams, 8. Andy Powell, 9. Gareth Cooper, 10. Stephen Jones, 11. Shane Williams, 12. Gavin Henson, 13. Jamie Roberts, 14. Leigh Halfpenny, 15. Lee Byrne. Reserves: 16. Richard Hibbard, 17. Duncan Jones, 18. Ian Gough, 19. Dafydd Jones, 20. Dwayne Peel, 21. James Hook, 22. Tom Shanklin.

South Africa: 1. Tendai Mtawarira, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 3. John Smit (c), 4. Bakkies Botha, 5. Victor Matfield, 6. Schalk Burger, 7. Juan Smith, 8. Pierre Spies, 9. Fourie du Preez, 10. Ruan Pienaar, 11. Bryan Habana, 12. Jean de Villiers, 13. Adrian Jacobs, 14. JP Pietersen, 15. Conrad Jantjes. Reserves: 16. Brian Mujati, 17. Gurthro Steenkamp, 18. Andries Bekker, 19. Ryan Kankowski, 20. Ricky Januarie, 21. Frans Steyn, 22. Jaque Fourie.

Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Millennium Stadium
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT (9:30 a.m. ET (Toronto, New York))
Referee: Alan Rolland (Ireland)
Touch judges: Alan Lewis (Ireland), George Clancy (Ireland)
Television match official: Geoff Warren (England)
Assessor: Paul Bridgman (England)

WAL vs SA : Rugby Heaven preview, click here.
WAL vs SA : Rugby Planet preview, click here.


SCOTLAND vs NEW ZEALAND

Scotland: 1. Allan Jacobson, 2. Ross Ford, 3. Euan Murray, 4. Nathan Hines, 5. Jim Hamilton, 6. Jason White, 7. John Barclay, 8. Simon Taylor, 9. Mike Blair (c), 10. Phil Goodman, 11. Sean Lamont, 12. Nick De Luca, 13. Ben Cairns, 14. Thom Evans, 15. Chris Paterson. Reserves: 16. Dougie Hall, 17. Alasdair Dickinson, 18. Matt Mustchin, 19. Scott Gray, 20. Rory Lawson/Mark McMillan, 21. Dan Parks, 22. Hugo Southwell.

New Zealand: 1. Jamie Mackintosh, 2. Keven Mealamu (c), 3. John Afoa, 4. Anthony Boric, 5. Ali Williams, 6. Kieran Read, 7. Adam Thomson, 8. Liam Messam, 9. Piri Weepu, 10. Stephen Donald, 11. Joe Rokocoko, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 13. Richard Kahui, 14. Anthony Tuitavake, 15. Isaia Toeava. Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. Neemia Tialata, 18. Ross Filipo, 19. Riche McCaw, 20. Andy Ellis, 21. Daniel Carter, 22. Cory Jane.

Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Murrayfield, Scotland
Kick-off: 17:15 GMT (12:15 p.m. ET (Toronto, New York))
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Touch judges: Dave Pearson (England), Paul Dix (England)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
Assessor: Michel Lamoulie (France)

SCO vs NZ : Rugby Heaven preview, click here.
SCO vs NZ : Rugby Planet preview, click here.


FRANCE vs ARGENTINA

France: 1. Fabien Barcella, 2. Dimitri Szarzewski, 3. Benoit Lecouls, 4. Romain Millo Chluski, 5. Lionel Nallet (c), 6. Thierry Dusautoir, 7. Imanol Harinordoquy, 8. Louis Picamoles, 9. Jean Baptiste Elissalde, 10. David Skrela, 11. Cedric Heymans, 12. Benoit Baby, 13. Yannick Jauzion, 14. Julien Malzieu, 15. Maxime Médard. Reserves: 16. Benjamin Kayser, 17. Nicolas Mas, 18. Sebastien Chabal, 19. Fulgence Ouedraogo, 20. Morgan Parra, 21. Damien Traille, 22. Alexis Palisson.

Argentina: 1. Rodrigo Roncero, 2. Mario Ledesma, 3. Juan-Pablo Orlandi, 4. Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, 5. Patricio Albacete, 6. Martín Alberto Durand, 7. Álvaro Galindo, 8. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 9. Nicolás Vergallo, 10. Juan Martin Hernandez, 11. Horacio Agulla, 12. Felipe Contepomi (c), 13. Gonzalo Tiesi, 14. Francisco Leonelli, 15. Bernardo Stortoni. Reserves: 16. Alberto Vernet Basualdo, 17. Marcos Ayerza, 18. Esteban Lozada, 19. Alejandro Campos, 20. Agustín Figuerola, 21. Federico Martín Aramburú, 22. Rafael Carballo.

Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Kick-off: 21.00 (20.00 GMT) (3:00 p.m. ET (Toronto, New York))
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Mark Lawrence (South Africa), Peter Allan (Scotland)
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)

FRA vs ARG : Rugby Heaven preview, click here.
FRA vs ARG : Rugby Planet preview, click here.

----------------------------------