World Cup prep is heating up for nations across the rugby globe.
France and Italy kick off the action on Saturday morning (AEST) with Fiji and Tonga and Wales and Ireland among the big ticket action over the weekend.
All the teams and times right here as they are announced.
SCHEDULE
Friday August 30. All times AEST
Saturday August 31. All times AEST
5:10am - France vs Italy
2:30pm - Fiji vs Tonga, Eden Park, Auckland
11:30pm - Wales vs Ireland, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sunday September 1
2am - Georgia vs Scotland, Dinamo Arnea, Tbilisi
FRANCE vs ITALY
Italy coach Conor O'Shea warned the Azzurri were looking to build on their rout of Russia as he made three changes to his side for Friday's World Cup warm-up against France in Paris.
Italy ran in 13 tries for a 85-15 victory in their second warm-up clash at home against Russia after losing 29-10 to Ireland.
"We want to take up were we left off," said O'Shea, who made three changes among the forwards.
"The victory against Russia gave us good ideas, but it's the past now. Our next goal is called France.
"It will be a tough and very interesting match for many reasons.
"We want to show our true value by trying to bring home a positive result to get closer and closer to optimal form from a Rugby World Cup perspective."
Alessandro Zanni replaces David Sisi in the second row, to earn his 113th cap, with Tiziano Pasquali and Andrea Lovotti both dropping to the bench.
Winger Alivereti Raka was dropped from France's side to face Italy this weekend in their final warm-up Test ahead of the Rugby World Cup, head coach Jacques Brunel announced on Tuesday.
Fijian-born Raka, 24, started in both of Les Bleus' previous pre-tournament fixtures against Scotland but was omitted from the matchday squad to host the Azzurri in Paris on Friday.
The Clermont powerhouse, who scored on his debut against the Scots in Nice and has been replaced by Gael Fickou, obtained his French citizenship last December after impressive displays for the Top 14 outfit.
Only six faces remain from the defeat in Edinburgh as Arthur Iturria moves to second-row and Fickou, who played centre at Murrayfield, lines up on the left wing, in the two positional changes.
Captain Guilhem Guirado is on the bench with loose-head prop Jefferson Poirot leading the side, as he did in Nice.
Raka's club team-mate Camille Lopez also misses out altogether to 20-year-old Toulouse fly-half Romain Ntamack.
The whole back-row is changed with 78-time international Louis Picamoles starting at number eight alongside Yacouba Camara and Wenceslas Lauret.
TEAMS
France to face Italy
Jefferson Poirot, Camille Chat, Rabah Slimani, Arthur Iturria, Romain Taofifenua, Wenceslas Lauret, Yacouba Camara, Louis Picamoles, Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack, Gael Fickou, Wesley Fofana, Sofiane Guitoune, Damian Penaud, Maxime Medard. Reserves: Guilhem Guirado, Cyril Baille, Emerick Setiano, Felix Lambey, Francois Cros, Baptiste Serin, Virimi Vakatawa, Thomas Ramos
Italy to face France
Simone Ferrari, Luca Bigi, Marco Riccioni, Alessandro Zanni, Federico Ruzza, Abraham Steyn, Jake Polledri, Sergio Parisse, Tito Tebaldi, Tommaso Allan, Matteo Minozzi, Luca MOrisi, Michele Campagnaro, Mattia Bellini, Jayden Hayward. Reserves: Federico Zani, Andrea Lovotti, Tiziano Pasquali, Dean Budd, Sebastian Negri, Guglielmo Palazzani, Carlo Canna, Tommaso Benvenuti
FIJI vs TONGA
TEAMS
Fiji to face Tonga
Campese Ma’afu, Sam Matavesi, Kalivati Tawake, Tevita Cavubati, Leone Nakarawa, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Semi Kunatani, Peceli Yato, Frank Lomani, Ben Volavola, Vereniki Goneva, Levani Botia, Semi Radradra, Josua Tuisova, Alivereti Veitokani. Reserves: Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto, Eroni Mawi, Peni Ravai, Tevita Ratuva, Viliame Mata, Nikola Matawalu, Joshua Matavesi, Waisea Nayacalevu
Tonga to face Fiji
Maama Vaipulu, Fotu Lokotui, Steve Mafi, Leva Fifita, Sam Lousi, Siua Halanukonuka, Paula Ngauamo, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Sonatane Takulua, James Faiva, Viliami Lolohea, Cooper Vuna, Charles Piutau, Afa Pakalani, David Halaifonua. Reserves: Sosefo Sakalia, Vunipola Fifita, Ma'afu Fia, Zane Kapeli, Sione Kalamafoni, Leon Fukofuka, Kurt Morath, Mali Hingano.
WALES vs IRELAND
The uncapped duo of wing Owen Lane and prop Rhys Carre are set to make their Wales debuts after being named in the starting side to play Ireland in a World Cup warm-up match in Cardiff on Saturday.
Wales coach Warren Gatland has made 14 changes to the team that beat England 13-6 at the Principality Stadium on August 17, with Cardiff Blues back-row Josh Navidi captaining his country for the first time.
Fullback Hallam Amos, centre Scott Williams, flyhalf Jarrod Evans and hooker Ryan Elias have all been given a chance to prove their worth ahead of Gatland announcing his 31-man World Cup squad on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Carre is regarded as one of the most promising young platers in the game and was signed by English and European champions Saracens from Cardiff earlier this year.
Saturday's match will be Gatland's last home match in charge of Wales, now top of the World Rugby rankings, before the New Zealander steps down after Japan 2019.
"It is a great opportunity for Rhys and Owen," said Gatland after announcing his team on Thursday.
"They have worked hard all summer to get to this point, so it will be good for them to get their first international caps and put their hands up for RWC (Rugby World Cup) selection after the match."
The former Ireland coach added: "For Josh, it's a huge honour to be named captain. He has been hugely consistent for us, he has really impressed in the last couple of seasons and he will lead from the front on Saturday.
"There is so much at stake in terms of RWC selection and -- with a number of positions still up for grabs -- it will be a huge game."
Victory over Ireland would give Wales a 12th successive home win. They have not lost in Cardiff since November 2017.
Meanwhile Ireland will come into the match on the back of a record 57-15 thrashing by England at Twickenham last weekend.
TEAMS
Wales to face Ireland
Rhys Carre, Ryan Elias, Samson Lee, Adam Beard, Bradley Davies, Aaron Shingler, James Davies, Josh Navidi, Aled Davies, Jarrod Evans, Steff Evans, Owen Watkin, Scott Williams, Owen Lane, Hallam Amos. Reserves: Elliot Dee, Rob Evans, Leon Brown, Jake Ball, Ross Moriarty, Tomos Williams, Rhys Patchell, Jonah Holmes
Ireland to face Wales
Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Iain Henderson, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O'Mahony, Jack Conan, Kieran Marmion, Jack Carty, Jacob Stockdale, Bundee Aki, Chris Farrell, Andrew Conway, Will Addison. Reserves: Rory Best, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Jordi Murphy, Luke McGrath, Garry Ringrose, Dave Kearney
GEORGIA vs SCOTLAND
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend made 10 changes to the side that boosted their World Cup preparations with victory over France last weekend for the trip to Georgia on Saturday.
Centre Sam Johnson will make his first international appearance since the Six Nations and will be joined in the midfield by Rory Hutchinson, who will make his first Scotland start.
Blair Kinghorn, Allan Dell and Matt Fagerson also make their first starts of the season, while hooker Stuart McInally returns as captain.
"We're pleased to welcome Sam back into the side, having performed so well for us in the spring, while a number of other players also get the opportunity to build on Saturday's performance," said Townsend, whose side bounced back at Murrayfield from a 32-3 thrashing by the French in Nice a week earlier.
"There were improvements in our back-to-back games against France, in particular in defence, game management and at scrum, as well as some elements of our attack.
"All of these will be put to the test against a very good Georgian side who we expect to be extremely motivated by their passionate home support."
Scotland will be the first tier one nation to travel for a Test match on Georgian soil, which doubles as the last opportunity for players to stake their claim for Townsend's final 31-man group for the World Cup, which will be announced on Tuesday.
TEAMS
Georgia to face Scotland
Mikheil Nariashvili ©, Shalva Mamukashvili, Beka Gigashvili, Shalva Sutiashvili, Kote Mikautadze, Otar Giorgadze, Beka Saghinadze, Beka Gorgadze, Vasil Lobzhanidze, Tedo Abzhandadze, Sandro Todua, Davit Katcharava, Zurab Dzneladze, Mirian Modebadze, Soso Matiashvili. Reserves: Giorgi Tchqoidze, Kakha Asieshvili, Levan Chilachava, Giorgi Nemsadze, Lasha Lomidze, Gela Aprasidze, Lasha Khmaladze, Tamaz Mtchedlidze
Scotland to face Georgia
Allan Dell, Stuart McInally, Willem Nel, Ben Toolis, Grant Gilchrist, John Barclay, Hamish Watson, Matt Fagerson, Greig Laidlaw, Finn Russell, Sean Maitland, Sam Johnson, Rory Hutchinson, Darcy Graham, Blair Kinghorn. Reserves: Grant Stewart, Jamie Bhatti, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Josh Strauss, Ali Price, Adam Hastings, Huw Jones
