Nations Championship Round 5 Preview: Fixtures & Tickets

The Northern Hemisphere Series moves into its crucial second week between Friday, 13 November and Sunday, 15 November as the inaugural Nations Championship continues to pick up speed through the autumn.

Last week, Round 4 delivered drama by the bucketful, which reshaped the Northern and Southern Pool at both ends. Every single try and result from here on in carry extra significance with Finals Weekend at Twickenham starting to loom large at the end of the month.

Below, you’ll find previews all six upcoming fixtures from Round 5 as well as links to buy Nations Championship tickets for every game from the specialist resellers on the LiveRugbyTickets marketplace.

Current Standings Heading into Round 5

Southern Hemisphere

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
1	South Africa	4	4	0	0	196	56	+140	29	8	4	0	20
2	New Zealand	4	4	0	0	164	91	+73	24	12	4	0	20
3	Australia	4	1	0	3	136	130	+6	21	20	3	1	8
4	Argentina	4	1	0	3	109	141	−32	15	21	2	1	7
5	Japan	4	1	0	3	83	116	−33	10	16	0	1	5
6	Fiji	4	0	0	4	66	199	−133	9	30	0	0	0

Northern Hemisphere

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
1	France	4	3	0	1	170	92	+78	24	13	4	1	17
2	England	4	3	0	1	170	99	+71	26	14	3	0	15
3	Ireland	4	3	0	1	132	103	+29	19	15	3	0	15
4	Scotland	4	2	0	2	129	140	−11	19	20	3	0	11
5	Wales	4	2	0	2	88	123	−35	13	18	2	0	10
6	Italy	4	0	0	4	44	197	−153	6	28	0	0	0

Nations Championship Round 5 Fixtures

Friday 13 November – France v South Africa (Stade de France, Paris, 20:10 GMT)

This is the heavyweight showdown that rugby fans everywhere have been waiting for. Easily the tie of the round and perhaps the most tantalising match-up of the entire Nations Championship tournament so far, France clash with South Africa in Paris in the Round 5 curtain-raiser.

Les Bleus lead the way in the Northern Pool and started their autumn campaign with a routine 54-17 obliteration of Fiji in Lyon. However, that win came at a severe cost, with Romain Ntamack suffering a serious shoulder injury to leave France coach Fabien Galthié desperately short on options at fly half.

South Africa meanwhile, ran roughshod over an injury-crippled Italy in Turin (66-7) to main their perfect record in the competition. However, a date with Six Nations champions France in Paris promises to be a stiffer challenge, though one that Rassie Erasmus’s men will be ready to face head-on.

This could well be a prelude to a rematch between the teams in the Grand Final later this month. Usurpingly, tickets are in huge demand for this showpiece contest.

View our latest France v South Africa tickets to secure your seats now.

Saturday 14 November – Italy v Argentina (Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa, 11:40 GMT)

Italy remain firmly rooted to the bottom of the Northern section with zero points following their 66-7 mauling at the hands of South Africa in Turin last week. Gonzalo Quesada would love his side to bounce back, though his squad has been decimated by double-figure injuries, so a resurgence from the Gli Azzurri this weekend would be something of a surprise.

Visiting Argentina were outclassed by Ireland in Dublin (43-12) and their indiscipline cost them dearly at the Aviva Stadium. However, Felipe Contepomi’s men will view Saturday’s Test in Genoa against a depleted Italian outfit as an opportunity to get some points on the board.

Los Pumas have won each of their last nine meetings with Italy and a favourable set of circumstances could allow them to extend that streak on Saturday.

Secure your seats: Italy v Argentina tickets for the game at the iconic Stadio Luigig Ferraris.

Saturday 14 November – Wales v New Zealand (Principality Stadium, Cardiff, 14:10 GMT)

Wales edged Japan (28-21) by the skin of their collective teeth last weekend, with Josh Adams scoring a brace and Louis Rees-Zammit ending his try drought, however, head coach Steve Tandy will know that his team will have to raise their game by several levels to cope with the All Blacks in Cardiff.

New Zealand made light work of what looked like a potential banana skin against Scotland (43-21) at Murrayfield in Round 4, to stay level with South Africa at the summit of the Southern Pool on 20 points each.

Wales haven’t beaten the All Blacks since 1953 and when they hosted them at the Principality Stadium this time last year, they were torn to shreds in a humbling 52-26 defeat. The Welsh hordes will be there to will their team on again, however, a similar result could be on the cards.

Wales v New Zealand tickets are available now on our online marketplace. Don’t miss the chance to see the All Blacks in Cardiff.

Saturday 14 November – England v Japan (Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, 16:40 GMT)

England dazzled in their record 45-22 win over a disappointing Australia at Twickenham on Sunday, with two-try Henry Pollock catching the eye out of position on the wing. That victory provided coach Steve Borthwick with a much-needed boost and the Red Rose will fancy another big result against Japan.

The Cherry Blossoms showed plenty of spirit despite an eventual narrow loss to Wales (28-21) in Cardiff, though their lack of quality remains evident. Former England boss Eddie Jones would love a fairytale return to his old stomping ground, but in reality, Japan have little hope of causing an upset here.

The hosts will be heavy favourites under the lights at Twickenham, and you can get your England v Japan tickets alongside the rest of England’s autumn schedule on the LiveRugbyTickets marketplace.

Saturday 14 November – Ireland v Fiji (Aviva Stadium, Dublin, 20:10 GMT)

Ireland showcased their superiority over Argentina (42-12) in Dublin last week and on paper, at least, their Round 5 date with Fiji looks like an even easier challenge. Andy Farrell’s side are level on 15 points with second-placed England, but will view their clash with the Fijians as a window to boost their points difference.

Fiji were hammered 54-17 by France in Lyon and are still bottom of the Southern Pool with zero points. Under Jake White, the Flying Fijians don’t lack physicality, however, their tactical and technical acumen continue to be subpar, and a smarter Irish side should be able to pick holes in their defence.

Browse our current listings of Ireland v Fiji tickets now to secure your seats at the Aviva Stadium for this late-evening kick-off.

Sunday 15 November – Scotland v Australia (Murrayfield, Edinburgh, 15:10 GMT)

Scotland gave it a good go, particularly in the first half, though they were eventually overpowered by New Zealand (21-43) at Murrayfield, a result that makes victory over Australia in Edinburgh imperative.

Gregor Townsend’s troops are still on 11 points, though they can boost their tally against the worst Wallabies side in quite a while. The Australians were dismantled in a record loss to England at Twickenham (45-22) in Round 4, and bruised by that, they could be just as vulnerable when they head north of the border.

If you fancy seeing if the Wallabies can avoid a fourth defeat in five Nations Championship fixtures, book tickets for Scotland vs Australia now.

Get Your Nations Championship Tickets

Demand for this week’s Round 5 matches in the Nations Championship is already high, particularly for the France vs South Africa headliner in Paris, Wales vs New Zealand in Cardiff and Scotland’s clash with Australia in Edinburgh.

Don’t worry if official allocations for the games have been sold out, however. Fans have another chance to secure tickets for Nations Championship right here on the LiveRugbyTickets marketplace.

Our real-time catalogue has listings of genuine match tickets for all six games between November 13 and 15, which are supplied and priced by trusted resellers.

Whether you’re heading to the Stade de France, Aviva Stadium, Principality Stadium, Allianz Stadium, Murrayfield or Genoa, you can get through the gates with LiveRugbyTickets.

Browse the full range of Nations Championship tickets and secure your seat for the race to Finals Weekend at Twickenham.