Weekend Previews

Czechia v Finland, Sat, 11.30am

Both sides lost to Sweden in their opening games in this season’s European Trophy, and it will be interesting to see how they respond to those defeats as well as what the outcome will be from two teams with such different styles – the Finns more forward-based, while the Czechs centre their game in the backs.

Two years ago this resulted in a deadlocked 5-5 draw in Helsinki after Czechs had won the same fixture in Prague by 15-0 earlier in the year, with most of the points coming late in the game. It is probable that this weekend will be similarly low scoring, although if the home side can only match the ambition they showed last week in Norrkoping with better implementation they should run out winners.

France v South Africa, Sat, 2pmGame is on France 2 and SABC 3 Sport.

For France, who have previously expressed a desire to only play the top teams in the world rankings, a game against the world number 13 suggests that this is very much a warm-up for their fixtures against New Zealand coming later this month.

It is an opportunity for three players to make their debuts - Marie Dupouy (outside centre), Chloé Jacquet (inside centre – and Olympic silver medalist) and Coco Lindelauf (prop) - with two more uncapped players (Alexandra Chambon and Mélissande Llorens) on the bench. Nonetheless this is still a strong team with most of the big names present including Hermet, Boujard, Boulard and N’Diaye. Diallo will win her 50thcap if she comes on. Despite the warm-up nature of the game, anything less than a large French win will be a concern.

South Africa head coach Stanley Raubenheimer has retained only six players from their last outing in August in Yonela Ngxingolo, back-row trio Lusanda Dumke, Sinazo Mcatshulwa and Sizophila Solontsi, centre Chumisa Qawe and full-back Eloise Webb. The experienced Zenay Jordaan has been ruled out with illness and the coaching set up is well aware of how big a challenge this is.

"We have confidence in the players selected, but there can be no doubt that we will be up against a very good side. France are in the top tier of international women’s rugby and we are outside the top ten, but be it as it may, we are determined to take as much out of this game as possible," Raubenheimer said.

“We will play France again in less than 11 months when we face them as our first opponents at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and after Saturday will have a better understanding of where we are in our preparation.”

The South Africa team ishereand the French team ishere

Netherlands v Belgium, Sat 6.30pm

Anything less than a comfortable Dutch win seems unlikely – they have never lost to their neighbours in nine previous meetings – but the fact that the two teams are playing is perhaps the most important.

The Dutch are still a European Championship side but have now slipped below Russia in the rankings. If Rugby Europe finally implements the promotion and relegation between the Championship and Trophy being discussed pre-COVID the future of the Dutch at Europe’s top table will be under threat.

In previous years Belgium might have been among the nations likely to benefit from that had not financial problems forced them out of European competition entirely in 2018 – well before COVID. They have not played for over three years and are now rebuilding from the ground up, and this will be an important first look at where they are. Belgium will also be competing in “Pool B” of the Trophy this year – less a competition and more a loose catch-all that will allow new and returning teams to play under the Rugby Europe banner. Their first game will be against Portugal in December.

Netherlands:1 Irene Jansen; 2 Anouk Veerkamp; 3 Brechtje Karst; 4 Mhina De Vos; 5 Micha1a Van Capel 6 Inger Jongerius; 7 Judith Frinking; 8 Linde Van Der Velden (C); 9 Pleuni Kievit; 10 Renate Jansen; 11 Lieve Stallmann; 12 Qven Makkinga; 13 Bowien Manuhutu; 14 Noa Donkersloot; 15 Jordan Heil; 16 Sydney De Weiier; 17 Lynn koelman; 18 Nicky Dik; 19 Robin Wubben; 20 Liza De Wild; 21 Juda Verhoeven; 22 Robin Zuiderhoek; 23 Esmee Ligtvoet; 24 Inge Van Der Velden; 25 Merel De Goot

Belgium:Claire Andries (Kituro); Manon Bertin (Rooster Mosan); Julie Bijnens (Boitsfort); Norah Chahab (Kituro); Jade Cloof (Dendermonde); Hannah Design (Dendermonde); An-Marthe Ingelaere (Curtrycke); Jeanne Marquegnies (Frameries); Nele Michem (Dendermonde); Céline Minon (Rooster Mosan); Laetitia Mulenda (The Hulpe); Elodie Musch (The Hulpe); Laurie Prignon (Kituro); Lorisse Ranger (The Hulpe); Aude Risselin (Kituro); Marie Rutsaert (Leuven); Hélène Simon (Kituro); Line Sobczak (Frameries); Charlotte Timperman (Gent); Clotilde Toussaint (Namur); Noémie Van de Poel (The Hulpe); Nele Van Den Hassevelde (Dendermonde); Selina Vaneyst (RC9); Sarah Verzin (Boitsfort); Romanie Yserbyt (Curtrycke)

England v New Zealand, Sun 2.45pmGame is live on BBC 2

After Sunday’s record breaking defeat, all eyes will be on how New Zealand can bounce back and get some confidence into the squad ahead of their games against France.

England were brilliant in Exeter and will be favourites to win again, this time with Poppy Cleall captaining, as Sarah Hunter moves to the bench.

England are now on a 15-match winning run with New Zealand the last side to beat them, 28-13 in the Women’s Rugby Super Series in July 2019. Only France have come within 25 points of England in this run with five of their seven meetings being won by six or fewer points and they have won their last 23 tests on home soil, dating back to a 25-20 loss to New Zealand at The Stoop in November 2016. It’s fair to say – they have all the momentum.

New Zealand will be smarting from the manner of last week's defeat and will have surely worked extra hard this week on their set-piece which struggled so badly in Exeter. The team was always likely to take time to settle into this tour, having not played for well over two years, but a reveral of fortunes will be tough this weekend.

Portia Woodman comes onto the right wing, with Grace Brooker linking up with Stacey Fluhler in the midfield and veteran Carla Hohepa providing cover from the bench. In the forwards, Grace Houpapa-Barrett starts at hooker with Joanah Ngan-Woo is in for Eloise Blackwell at lock. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u replaces Dhys Faleafaga at the back of the scrum. Kelly Brazier is still out injured.

The England team ishere.New Zealand's team ishere.

Wales v Japan Sun 5pmGame is live on S4C and on Japan Rugby's Twitter/Facebook

It’s been a big week in Wales where players have agreed contracts for the first time and they will be desperate to cap it with a win against a team playing their first test since a 24-20 win against Scotland in November 2019.

Wales had a desperate Six Nations finishing bottom and ending it with a 27-20 loss to Scotland and the last time they played Japan they were soundly beaten back in 2017. They’ve lost their last seven games but this the first outing for the new look Welsh coaching team with Ioan Cunningham, who was confirmed last month as head coach alongside assistants Geraint Lewis, Richard Wiffin in charge.

Japan’s head coach is ex Canadian player Lesley McKenzie while her assistant is former Scotland player Louise Dalgliesh. Although they haven’t played since 2019, their draw with Italy and win over Scotland suggests they’ll be no pushovers. They’ve also now guaranteed their place at the World Cup.

The Welsh team ishereand the Japan team ishere