Dan Sheehan's Ireland, Maro Itoje's England and Scotland's Finn Russell will be part of some mammoth Tests this November

Fans can expect a blockbuster series of high-stakes matches between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere's top rugby nations. World Cup preparations, the potential for upsets, and the return of key players add to the drama throughout November.  What to expect and look out for? 

Clash of styles and World Cup preparation 

* Northern Hemisphere's tactical game vs. Southern Hemisphere's pace: The series will pit the North's structured, tactical game plan against the South's faster, more creative and off-the-cuff approach.

* Momentum for 2027: With the next World Cup two years away, this series offers the first real indication of how teams are developing and where they stand in the new cycle. It provides a crucial platform for northern hemisphere teams to build form heading into the 2026 Six Nations.

* World rankings at stake: The match results will impact world rankings, which will be used to determine the Rugby World Cup 2027 pool draw. Good performances are vital for teams aiming for a more favorable draw. 

Key narratives for each team 

* England: Steve Borthwick's side will seek redemption after a disappointing autumn campaign in 2024. They face a challenging line-up featuring Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina. With several British and Irish Lions returning, there is pressure to deliver statement victories at home.

* Ireland: Fresh off their tour of Australia, Andy Farrell's formidable side will aim to re-establish home dominance after their Aviva Stadium fortress was breached in the 2024 autumn series. They will face their toughest test against world champions South Africa.

* Wales: After a difficult period, Wales will hope to continue their rebuild under new interim head coach Richie Sherratt. The return of Louis Rees-Zammit adds excitement, but they face a brutal schedule with fixtures against the likes of Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa.

* Scotland: Gregor Townsend's team faces a formidable opening two weeks against USA and New Zealand. They will be eager to prove they can challenge the world's best. Their fixture against Argentina is an underrated rivalry that could prove highly entertaining.

* South Africa: The newly crowned Rugby Championship winners will be looking to assert their dominance. The Springboks will tour Europe aiming to defeat all four home nations, a feat they have not achieved since 2012.

* Argentina: The Pumas arrive with confidence after their historic Rugby Championship win over New Zealand. Their mixture of grit and flair makes them a dangerous opponent, and they will be seeking revenge for their summer tour defeats against England. 

* Ireland vs. New Zealand in Chicago: The opening weekend features a rare and highly-anticipated neutral-venue Test between two top nations in Chicago, reprising the classic 2016 fixture.

* England vs. New Zealand at Twickenham: A legendary rivalry is renewed on November 15th, promising fireworks as England seeks a statement victory against the All Blacks.

* Ireland vs. South Africa at Aviva Stadium: A potential autumn classic on November 22nd, this clash pits two of the best teams in the world against each other in what is sure to be a physical and tactical battle.

* Louis Rees-Zammit's return: Look out for the former Welsh rugby star as he makes his highly anticipated return to the Wales squad after a stint in the NFL.

Tier 2 nation challenges: While the focus is on the top teams, matches involving Tier 2 nations like Fiji and Japan will also be intriguing. Fiji, a potential dark horse, will look to cause an upset against England.