Autumn internationals round-up: Scotlandcompleted one of the greatest rearguard victories in recent Test history to beat Australia9-8 at Murrayfield, their first victory over the Wallabies in 27 years.
Despite being penned in their own half for almost the whole 80 minutes, Andy Robinson’s men somehow held on after Matt Giteau missed a stoppage-time conversion for the Wallabies.
It completed a miserable evening for the outhalf, who kicked Australia ahead early on but missed more than once in front of goal.
Four clear try-scoring opportunities also came and went for the tourists, who eventually broke through magnificent Scotland defending with their final attack, touched down by Ryan Cross.
Two Phil Godman penalties and a Chris Paterson drop goal had put Scotland ahead completely against the run of play but Robinson’s men will not care a jot as they made it two wins out of two under his tenure.
World champions South Africawarmed up for next week's clash with Ireland by running in four tries to tame a spirited challenge from Italyand put their European tour back on track with a 32-10 win in the northern city of Udine today.
The Springboks got off to a bright start as they tried to make up for last week's 20-13 loss in France and defeats by English clubs Leicester and Saracens in warm-up games.
Wing Bryan Habana popped up to open the score a try in the fifth minute after Italy flanker Simone Favaro had been sinbinned for a late charge on a kicker and then turned provider for centre Jaque Fourie to go under the posts.
Outhalf Morne Steyn added the extras having missed the previous conversion and hit the post with an early penalty.
Italy mustered a gritty response. Outhalf Craig Gower set up centre Gonzalo Garcia to go over in the 33rd and knocked over the conversion with the post's help to make amends after missing a penalty and a drop attempt.
The hosts kept the pressure on the visitors after the break, causing huge problems in the scrum as they had against the All Blacks in last week's brave 20-6 defeat in Milan.
Steyn eased it with a penalty before scrumhalf Fourie du Preez finished off a sweeping move to touch down in the 53rd and put South Africa firmly in charge.
Wynand Olivier wrapped up the win with another try in the closing stages and fellow substitute Ruan Pienaar hit the extras after Steyn had exchanged penalties with Gower.
New Zealandrecorded their eighth successive win over Englandwith a 19-6 victory at Twickenham on Saturday after scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan scampered over for the only try of the match in the 57th minute.
The All Blacks lifted the pace in the second half on a treacherous surface which contributed to a series of unforced errors from both sides after heavy rain throughout the week.
Cowan's try came after relentless recycling by New Zealand as they surged on to the attack, although the home supporters thought the final pass from captain Richie McCaw had gone forward.
The teams were tied 6-6 at half-time with Dan Carter and Jonny Wilkinson kicking two penalties apiece. Carter overtook Andrew Mehrtens as New Zealand's top international points scorer before the break but also missed two penalty attempts.
Wing wizard Shane Williams lit up the Millennium Stadium with two dazzling tries as Walesrecorded a record 33-16 victory against Argentina.
Williams struck twice in the second half, taking his Welsh international record tally to 48.
There was also an opportunist try for outhalf Stephen Jones, who finished with 17 points, while Williams’ fellow wing Leigh Halfpenny kicked two penalties.
Centre Martin Rodriguez scored all of Argentina’s points through a try, three penalties and conversion, but the Pumas finished a distant second best.
Much of the action was inevitably dominated by the kicking game, yet Wales scored three tries for the first time in a major Test match since their opening game of last season’s Six Nations against Scotland at Murrayfield.
They will require a considerable improvement before tackling the Wallabies, but head coach Warren Gatland can feel satisfied that his team at least played some rugby.
Argentina though, have little to offer outside of a jumbo-sized pack, although that in itself might be enough to trouble Scotland at Murrayfield in seven days’ time.
Francefollowed up last weekend's impressive win over world champions South Africa with a comprehensive 43-5 victory over an outclassed Samoaside at the Stade de France.
Les Bleus headed into their second autumn international full of confidence following last Friday’s superb 20-13 triumph over the Springboks in Toulouse and took the initiative straight away in Paris.
Three tries in the opening 15 minutes, courtesy of Dimitri Szarzewski, Vincent Clerc and Yannick Jauzion, put the home team firmly in the ascendancy and further scores from Thierry Dusautoir and debutant Benjamin Fall had the French 33-0 up at half-time.
Francois Trinh-Duc bagged two more tries in the second period before Samoa finally got on the scoresheet nine minutes from time through substitute Joe Tekori.
