All Blacks head coach Ian Foster is looking to maximise the opportunities offered for growth and development in their end-of-year tour.

Due to Covid-19 disruptions, it is only the second tour to the northern hemisphere in this World Cup cycle and is very important as there is less than a year to go until the global showpiece.

Japan is the first challenge for the All Blacks on October 29, and Foster acknowledged the Brave Blossoms’ immense progress and looks forward to the challenge ahead.

Treasure the tour

“We’ve got to treasure this tour and the opportunities it presents,” Foster told the All Blacks’ official website.

“If you go back to the last World Cup, they won a couple of big games, and they played really well against France and Australia A recently, so they’re well-prepared.

“We know they’re a growing nation, and this is a Test they’re going to target.

“So, nothing changes. Everyone we play is going to be ready to play us, and they [Japan] certainly will be.”

Wales follows the Japan Test as the All Blacks travel to Cardiff on November 5 before playing Scotland a week later on November 13.

Twickenham clash

However, the most anticipated clash of the tour comes against England at Twickenham on November 20, a Test Foster is looking forward to.

“It’s on the horizon, and playing England at Twickenham is always special and the fact we haven’t played them since 2019 in a game I remember well is going to make it even more important,” he said.

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Foster said the tour’s goal was to grow team performance, which involved giving players as many opportunities as possible.

The return of Anton Lienert-Brown has given the coach more options in the centres while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck added some versatility to his game after playing two games on the wing for Auckland in the NPC.

“It’s given him a greater insight into the game. So, it’s going to help him,” the head coach added.

The All Blacks began to find their feet at the back end of the Rugby Championship but will be eager to string some wins together and build solid form going into the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

OGC Nice have made contact for 20-year-old Monaco forward Irvin Cardona, according to RMC.

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He had a great season on loan with Cercle Brugge this season, and is waiting to know Monaco’s position on his future, with his current deal running until 2021.

He wants playing time guarantees and will meet with Monaco reps in the coming days.

Nîmes are also interested.

Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes are set to pass a century of Tests in November after being named in the England squad for the Autumn Tests.

Harlequins speedster Cadan Murley earned his first call-up to the national squad and is one of five uncapped players, along with Alex Coles, George McGuigan, Val Rapava Ruskin and David Ribbans.

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The squad meets on Monday for a five-day training camp as Eddie Jones’s men prepare for their first Test against Argentina on November 6.

Following the clash against Los Pumas, England welcome the All Blacks in a blockbuster clash on November 19 before taking on world champions South Africa on November 26.

Jones is excited with the squad he has selected and said England will use the Tests as a ‘mini World Cup.’

“This is a very strong, vibrant squad and a number of good players have been left out. We are pleased with the depth and the strength of the squad,” said Jones.

“The autumn internationals will be like a mini Rugby World Cup for us, starting with two tough games against Argentina and Japan which mirrors our Pool fixtures at next year’s tournament. Then we’ll have knock out type games against New Zealand and South Africa – all four games will be great tests for us.

“In Jersey we’ll start the week with Misogi activity where the players will find out about themselves and each other. Then we’ll rip into training for the rest of the week, so the team can come together on and off the pitch.

“We’re very pleased to be going back to Jersey and to a good Championship club in Jersey Reds who are very supportive of us and of the local rugby community. We’ve been made to feel very welcome there and look forward to our return.”

Meanwhile, Jones has drafted former Great Britain hockey coach Danny Kerry onto his coaching team as a training coordinator, with Joe Lewis moving into a full-time analyst role.

Jones said: “I’ve known Danny for a long time and his depth and breadth of coaching knowledge will be a real asset to us as staff as we work towards becoming the best coaching team in the world. Joe will move back to an analyst role where he has a real impact and suits his strengths and skills.”

England squad:

Forwards: Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Ellis Genge, Joe Heyes, Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, George McGuigan, Val Rapava Ruskin, David Ribbans, Bevan Rodd, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Jack Singleton, Hugh Tizard, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Jack Willis

Backs: Henry Arundell, Joe Cokanasiga, Owen Farrell, Max Malins, George Furbank, Will Joseph, Jonny May, Cadan Murley, Jack Nowell, Guy Porter, Raffi Quirke, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet, Ben Youngs

Strasbourg have today completed the signing of Serbian international defender Stefan Mitrović from KAA Gent in a deal believed to be €3m.

The 28-year-old defender has signed a 4-year contract with the Ligue 1 side.

An imposing 6 ft 2 central defender, Mitrović has played for a host of clubs around European in recent years, including Benfica B, Real Valladolid, Freiburg and spent two years in his latest spell at Gent. The Serb has also been capped by his country 13 times.

Mitrović expressed his excitement today after the deal was concluded:

“The love of the French league is high and I am very happy to join RC Strasbourg, which for me is a top club. I would like to tell these supporters that I will give everything for these colours and that I will never give up for anything.”

H.W.

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Scotland assistant coach Steve Tandy is confident Jamie Ritchie will do a “fantastic job” as captain during the upcoming Autumn Nations Series.

Ritchie, 26, has followed up being named skipper for club side Edinburgh this season with this incredible achievement as he takes over from Stuart Hogg.

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While it might have been viewed as a surprise decision by head coach Gregor Townsend in some quarters, Ritchie has the full confidence of Tandy and co.

People follow him

“He will do a fantastic job, he’s super competitive,” Tandy revealed. “I think he leads and people follow him, and he’s an outstanding rugby player as well.

“He plays really well in a Scotland shirt. It’s a great opportunity for him to lead his country and to start at home as well.

“He’s embraced it so far, he doesn’t change a lot, he wants to drive standards anyway.

“He’s maturing, and he’s around lots of experienced guys and he doesn’t need to change too much. He leads anyway, and he’ll naturally grow and embrace the moment.”

Scotland are preparing to tackle Australia this weekend before matches against Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina at Murrayfield follow over the next month.

Tandy admits he’s “unbelievably excited” about his squad making progress in the autumn as they look to fire in next year’s Six Nations and Rugby World Cup.

“Getting the boys back yesterday was brilliant, just getting connected again and catching up,” the coach said on Tuesday. “Then get into our processes, our first day’s training today had great energy.

Four huge Tests

“I’m excited for the next four Tests coming up. It’s about building on summer stuff as well. We didn’t win that series, but there was a lot of good things that went on.

“It’s just building, rather than a fresh start, just building momentum against outstanding teams. It’s great to get back to Murrayfield in front of full houses and we’re excited to grow our game over the autumn period.”

Looking ahead to the Wallabies clash on Saturday, defence coach Tandy revealed he is aware of the threat the opposition will pose in their year-end opener.

“When you look through the autumn games there’s a little bit of scary things from everyone, whether it be Fiji or New Zealand – but Australia, there’s lots of variety in their set-piece attack and some powerful ball-carriers that can really cause damage, especially close to your goal-line,” he said.

AS Monaco are in the process of finalising a €12m deal to sign 17-year-old left-back from fellow Ligue 1 side Angers, according to L’Équipe.

The Jorge Mendes client is then expected to be loaned straight back to Angers for the 2018/19 campaign.

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Gianluca di Marzio is reporting this evening that Ligue 1 side Marseille and West Ham are interested in signing Sassuolo central defender Gian Marco Ferrari this summer.

The player spent the 2017/18 campaign on loan at Sampdoria, who decided not to activate an option to buy on the Italian.

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Marseille have made a simple enquiry, nothing more than that at this stage.

Conor Murray will miss Ireland’s final two games of the Autumn Nations Series after suffering a groin strain against South Africa on Saturday.

The scrum-half was forced off in the opening period and it has been revealed that he will not be able to face Fiji and Australia.

Murray earned his 100th Irish cap at the weekend but sustained the issue when making a break in the 19-16 victory over the Springboks.

Better news elsewhere

In better news for Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, Stuart McCloskey and Tadhg Furlong are progressing well following the injuries they suffered in the first half.

McCloskey went off with an arm problem while Furlong hurt his ankle, but both are expected to take part in training ahead of the Fiji match.

Meanwhile, centre Robbie Henshaw is back after missing the game at the weekend due to a hamstring injury, with lock Iain Henderson also returning to the squad.

Henderson has not played this season after being forced home from their tour to New Zealand in July.

An IRFU statement read: “Unfortunately, Ireland’s latest centurion Conor Murray has been ruled out of the rest of the Series with a groin strain and will commence his rehab at Munster.

“Robbie Henshaw, who missed out on Saturday’s game due to a hamstring issue, will reintegrate to training this week. Stuart McCloskey is recovering quickly from the arm issue that forced him off early against South Africa and will train this week.

“Tadhg Furlong (ankle) is expected to take part in training this week while Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is recovering well from a dead leg.

“From Friday night’s A game against the All Black XV, Ciaran Frawley suffered a twisted knee and will continue his rehab at Leinster. Joe McCarthy and Ryan Baird will continue their return to play protocols at Leinster.

“Michael Milne, who featured against both the Pumas and the Cheetahs for Emerging Ireland in Bloemfontein, will train with the Ireland squad this week.”

Ireland’s 39-man training squad ahead of Fiji Test

Forwards: Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Max Deegan, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Dave Heffernan, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Jeremy Loughman, Mike Milne, Peter O’Mahony, Tom O’Toole, Scott Penny, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Gavin Thornbury, Nick Timoney, Kieran Treadwell, Josh van der Flier

Backs: Robert Baloucoune, Caolin Blade, Joey Carbery, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, Michael Lowry, Stuart McCloskey, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Johnny Sexton, Jacob Stockdale

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Young goalkeeper Suan Besic has officially swapped Marseille for Angers after three years in Southern France. Formerly the man between the sticks for Marseille’s reserve team, it became clear that Besic would be looking for a change of scenery come the end of the season. After being linked to Espanyol and Amiens, Besic has chosen Angers as an ideal club to continue his development with.

Still just 20 years old, Besic has plenty of room to grow. His potential has been recognized by many, including his country, having been called up to the Bosnia and Herzegovina U21 team earlier this year.  During his short stint with his nation’s youth group, Besic appeared as a substitute against Albania’s U21 side in an international friendly.

One quality that may ensure success for the young goalkeeper is his mental fortitude. In an interview with unolympique.com, his determination became clear.  When discussing his move to Marseille, leaving Paris and his family behind, Besic said, “It was very hard, especially when you join a club that is 750 kilometers from your home, in an environment that you don’t know at all.  But that’s a part of developing, you have to make sacrifices in order to achieve your objectives.” 

A willingness to make necessary sacrifices and an ability to adapt to new surroundings will only aid Besic’s continuing development in Angers.

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G.M.

Ireland have made nine changes to their side as they face Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series in Dublin on Saturday.

Head coach Andy Farrell has used this game to give an opportunity to some fringe members of the squad, despite retaining an experienced core.

World-class tighthead Tadhg Furlong is one of those to remain and is handed the captaincy responsibility.

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Five alterations in the pack

Furlong joins Rob Herring and Jeremy Loughman in the front-row, who have replaced Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan respectively.

Tadhg Beirne keeps his place at lock but Kieran Treadwell comes in for James Ryan, who is rested.

In the back-row, Caelan Doris switches to blindside flanker to allow Jack Conan to start at number eight, while the in-form Nick Timoney is handed a chance at openside.

Behind the scrum, it is a new half-back partnership as Joey Carbery is at fly-half alongside Jamison Gibson-Park, who is in for the injured Conor Murray.

Robbie Henshaw back from injury

At centre, Stuart McCloskey is fit enough to retain his place and he partners injury-returnee Robbie Henshaw in a powerful Ireland midfield combination.

Robert Baloucoune and Mack Hansen remain on the wing, with Jimmy O’Brien starting at full-back after impressing off the bench last weekend.

Ireland: 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Caelan Doris, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Kieran Treadwell, 3 Tadhg Furlong (c), 2 Rob Herring, 1 Jeremy Loughman
Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Cian Prendergast, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Garry Ringrose

Date: Saturday, November 12
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 13:00 GMT
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Tual Trainini (France), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Chris Hart (New Zealand)