The 2017 end-of-year rugby union internationals, also known as the November internationals, or autumn internationals in the

Northern Hemisphere The Northern Hemisphere is the half of Earth that is north of the Equator. For other planets in the Solar System, north is defined as being in the same celestial hemisphere relative to the invariable plane of the solar system as Earth's Nort ...

, were international rugby union matches in 2017. Rugby Championship winners New Zealand travelled to France for two matches (one an uncapped XV match), Scotland and Wales. Argentina faced England, Ireland and Italy - with the latter two countries also hosting South Africa. The Springboks also faced their June test series opposition, France, whom they had beaten 3–0, before ending their tour in Wales, after the international window. Having beaten New Zealand in the third

Bledisloe Cup The Bledisloe Cup is an annual rugby union competition originally staged between the national teams of Australia's Wallabies and New Zealand's All Blacks that has been contested since the 1930s. The frequency that the competition is held has va ...

Test match in October, Australia travelled to play Wales, England and Scotland, the latter of whom had beaten the Wallabies in

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mounta ...

during the June internationals. Four Tier 2 nations faced Tier 1 opposition during the international window. Ireland and Italy hosted

Fiji Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consis ...

, the first time since 2009 for Ireland. England and Scotland played host to

Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa; sm, Sāmoa, and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands ( Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands ( Manono and Apolima); ...

. France and Wales hosted historic matches against Tier 2 opposition, with Wales playing

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...

for the first time and France hosting

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the n ...

for the first time in the professional era; Japan's previous visit to France came in 1973. For Japan this was the third time in five years that they had played two Tier 1 opponents during the November tests, having already hosted Australia prior to their away match against France.

Tier 2 and Tier 3

After defeating

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by to ...

and the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...

away earlier in the year, Georgia played host to the same opposition at home.

Romania Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, S ...

took on Pacific opposition, hosting Samoa, and playing Samoa, for the first time since 1989, before playing host to

Tonga Tonga (, ; ), officially the Kingdom of Tonga ( to, Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻo Tonga), is a Polynesian country and archipelago. The country has 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabited. Its total surface area is about , scattered over in ...

after losing for the first time against them in 2015. For the second year in a row,

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , ...

faced Tier 2 opposition from outside of Europe, facing Canada in what was the first meeting since they first played in 2010. As in previous November internationals, travelling Tier 2 nations faced each other at neutral venues in Europe. This year saw Japan face Tonga in

Toulouse Toulouse ( , ; oc, Tolosa ) is the prefecture of the French department of Haute-Garonne and of the larger region of Occitania. The city is on the banks of the River Garonne, from the Mediterranean Sea, from the Atlantic Ocean and fr ...

, while Fiji faced Canada in

Narbonne Narbonne (, also , ; oc, Narbona ; la, Narbo ; Late Latin:) is a commune in Southern France in the Occitanie region. It lies from Paris in the Aude department, of which it is a sub-prefecture. It is located about from the shores of the ...

. With

Uruguay Uruguay (; ), officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay ( es, República Oriental del Uruguay), is a country in South America. It shares borders with Argentina to its west and southwest and Brazil to its north and northeast; while bordering ...

's 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifier play-offs taking place in February 2018, they embarked on a two-test series against

Namibia Namibia (, ), officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country in Southern Africa. Its western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Zambia and Angola to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and ea ...

as preparation. This was the first time since 2000 that the two nations has met, and the first time Namibia hosted the Los Teros. Having won their two-test series against

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

in November 2015 and November 2016,

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwee ...

faced Brazil for the third year in a row, this time in a one-off test match. Germany later went on to face

Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the eas ...

and the

, in what were historic first ever matches between the respective nations. Brazil also faced historic opposition, playing

Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to ...

and Spain for the first time.

Fixtures

Week 1

Notes: * Sam Cane (New Zealand) earned his 50th test cap. * This was the first time New Zealand had lost multiple tests in a calendar year since 2011. It was also the first time they had failed to win more than 2 tests since 2009. ---- ---- ----

Week 2

---- Notes: * Asaeli Ai Valu,

Kazuki Himeno is a Japanese international rugby union player who plays as a Loose Forward or Lock. He currently plays for the Highlanders in Super Rugby and Toyota Verblitz Toyota Verblitz is a Japanese rugby union team in the Japan Rugby League On ...

Fetuani Lautaimi is a, Tongan-born, Japanese international rugby union player who plays as a Number 8. He currently plays for in Super Rugby and Toyota Verblitz in Japan's domestic Top League Japan Rugby League One (formerly the Top League) is a rug ...

Sione Teaupa is a Tongan-born, Japanese international rugby union player who plays as a centre. He currently plays for in Super Rugby and Kubota Spears in Japan's domestic Top League Japan Rugby League One (formerly the Top League) is a rugby union c ...

and

Wimpie van der Walt Petrus Willem van der Walt (born 6 January 1989 in Brits, North West) is a South African-born Japanese rugby union player who represents at international level and is currently playing with NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes in the Japanese Top League. ...

(all Japan) and

Matt Philip Matt Philip (born 7 March 1994) is an Australian rugby union footballer who currently plays as a lock for the Melbourne Rebels. He previously played for the Western Force and also the Perth Spirit in Australia's National Rugby Championship. Phi ...

(Australia) made their international debuts. *

Ben McCalman Ben McCalman (born 18 March 1988 in Dubbo, New South Wales) is a former Australian rugby union footballer, playing for the Western Force in the international Super Rugby competition, and Australia. McCalman attended the Kinross Wolaroi School ...

(Australia) earned his 50th test cap. ---- Notes: * New Zealand claimed the Killik Cup. ----

Week 3

---- ---- Notes: * Giorgi Kveseladze, Mirian Modebadze (both Georgia) and Josh Larsen (Canada) made their international debuts. * This was Georgia largest winning margin over Canada. ---- ---- Notes: *

Jayden Hayward Jayden Hayward (born 11 February 1987) is a New Zealand-born rugby union player who played for the Italy national rugby union team and for Benetton Rugby.Giovanni Licata,

Ian McKinley Ian McKinley (born 4 December 1989) is a retired Irish-born, Italian rugby union player. He played at fly-half and he represented Italy on 9 occasions. Career In 2011, after playing 6 times for Irish province Leinster, McKinley was forced t ...

, Matteo Minozzi (all Italy),

Semi Kunatani Semi Kunabuli Kunatani (born 27 October 1990) is a Fiji rugby union player. He plays for the Fiji sevens team and also Top 14 side Castres . He previously played for Top 14 side, Stade Toulousain and Premiership Rugby side Harlequins. Kunatani ...

and Ropate Rinakama (both Fiji) made their international debuts. ---- Notes: *

Jamie Bhatti Jamie Bhatti (born 8 September 1993) is a Scotland international rugby union player who currently plays as a loose head prop for Glasgow Warriors. He previously played for Edinburgh Rugby and Bath Rugby; and had at prior stint at Glasgow Warri ...

Darryl Marfo Darryl Yaw A. Marfo (born 1 November 1990) is a Scottish international rugby player. He has previously played for Harlequins, Bath and Leicester Tigers in Premiership Rugby, London Scottish, London Welsh and Ealing Trailfinders in the RFU C ...

, Chris Harris, George Turner (all Scotland), AJ Alatimu,

Donald Brighouse Donald I.M. Brighouse (born 29 March 1993) is a Samoan rugby union player who plays for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR). His position of choice is prop A prop, formally known as (theatrical) property, is an object use ...

, Melani Matavao and Josh Tyrell (all Samoa) made their international debut. ---- Notes: * Sam Simmonds (England) and Sebastian Cancelliere (Argentina) made their international debuts. ---- Notes: * Leon Brown, Sam Cross and

Owen Watkin Owen Watkin (born 12 October 1996) is a Wales international rugby union player who plays for Ospreys regional team as a centre. Club career A product of the Ospreys Academy, he signed his first professional contract with his home region in 2016 ...

(all Wales) made their international debuts. * Australia retained the

James Bevan Trophy The James Bevan Trophy is a rugby union trophy which was created in 2007, and named after James Bevan, the Welsh Australian who was the first ever captain of the Wales rugby union team in 1881. The trophy was established after a decision on 10 May ...

. ---- Notes: *

Bundee Aki Bundee Aki (born 7 April 1990) is a professional rugby union player who plays for Connacht in the URC and the Ireland national team. Aki was born and grew up in New Zealand, of Samoan descent, and qualified for Ireland through residency. A ce ...

and

Darren Sweetnam Darren Sweetnam (born 5 May 1993) is an Irish rugby union player for French Pro D2 club Oyonnax. He plays as a wing but can also play fullback. Sweetnam is also a former inter-county hurler with Cork and has played underage hockey for Irelan ...

(both Ireland) made their international debuts. * Seán O'Brien (Ireland) earned his 50th test cap. * This was Ireland's largest winning margin over South Africa, surpassing the 17-point margin set in 2006. ---- Notes: * Anthony Belleau, Judicaël Cancoriet, Raphael Chaume, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Paul Gabrillagues and Anthony Jelonch (all France) made their international debuts. *

Yoann Huget Yoann Huget (; born 2 June 1987) is a former French rugby union player. He played as a wing or fullback. Career Club He started his rugby career playing for Stade Toulousain in the 2005–06 Top 14 season. He scored his first try in November ...

(France) earned his 50th test cap. * New Zealand retain the

Dave Gallaher Trophy The Dave Gallaher Trophy is a rugby union trophy contested between and . It is named after Dave Gallaher, the 1905–06 All Black captain who was killed in Belgium during World War I. History When it comes to rugby, France and New Zealand hav ...

. ----

Week 4

---- Notes: * Nick Cording, Amin Hamzaoui, Vincent Hart (all Belgium) and Will Broderick (Brazil) made their international debuts. * This was the first meeting between the two nations. * This was Brazil's first victory on in Europe. ---- Notes: *

Joaquín Tuculet Joaquín Tuculet (born 8 August 1989 in La Plata, Argentina) is an Argentine rugby union player who currently plays for the Toronto Arrows of Major League Rugby (MLR). He also played for the national Argentina team ''The Pumas'' and the country' ...

(Argentina) earned his 50th test cap. ---- Notes: * Nelius Theron (Namibia) made his international debut. * Gastón Mieres (Uruguay) earned his 50th test cap. * This is the first time that Namibia has hosted Uruguay in a test match. * This is Uruguay's largest winning margin over Namibia, surpassing the 11-point difference set in 2000. ---- Notes: *

Elliot Dee Elliot Mitchell Dee (born 7 March 1994) is a Welsh professional rugby union player who plays as a hooker for the Dragons and the Wales national team. Early life Dee was born in Newport and attended Newbridge Comprehensive School. Club career ...

(Wales) made his international debut. * This was the first meeting between the two nations. ---- Notes: * Joan Losada (Spain) made his international debut. ---- Notes: * Blake Enever (Australia) made his international debut. * This is England's largest winning margin over Australia, surpassing the 17-point difference set in 2010. * England retain the

Cook Cup The Ella-Mobbs Trophy (formerly the Cook Cup from 1997–2021) is a rugby union trophy contested between Australia and England. The Cook Cup was established in 1997 when the Wallabies and England contracted to play each other bi-annually for a ...

. * England extend their winning run against Australia to five consecutive matches, equalling their previous winning run against them set between 2000 and 2003. * Owen Farrell became England's all-time leading points scorer against Australia, surpassing Jonny Wilkinson's 114 points. * Australian captain Michael Hooper's eighth international yellow card makes him the most yellow-carded player in test history. ---- Notes: * Adam Preocanin, Hagen Schulte (both Germany) and Huluholo Moungaloa (United States) made their international debuts. * This was the first meeting between the two nations. ---- Notes: * Brandon Nansen (Samoa) made his international debut. ---- Notes: *

Koo Ji-won Koo Ji-won R: Gu Ji-won(born 20 July 1994) is a South Korean-born, Japanese rugby union player who plays as a prop. He currently plays for the in Super Rugby and Honda Heat in Japan's domestic Top League Japan Rugby League One (formerly ...

(Japan), Jethro Felemi, Onehunga Havili, Penikolo Latu, Fotu Lokotui, Sione Lolohea, George Taina, Shinnosuke Tu'umoto'oa, Sione Vailanu and Maama Vaipulu (all Tonga) made their international debuts. * This was Japan's biggest winning margin over Tonga, surpassing the 27-point difference set in 1999. ---- Notes: *

Luke Hamilton Luke John Hamilton (born 7 January 1992) is a Scottish international rugby union player who plays back row for Oyonnax. He has previously played for Cardiff Blues and Edinburgh in the Pro14, Agen in France's Top 14 and Leicester Tigers in Prem ...

and

Byron McGuigan Byron McGuigan (born 20 August 1989) is a rugby union outside centre or wing for Scotland in international rugby and for Sale Sharks in the English Premiership. He was born in Walvis Bay – then a South African exclave, but part of modern-day ...

(both Scotland) made their international debuts. ---- Notes: * Chris Farrell (Ireland) made his international debut. ---- Notes: * Sébastien Taofifénua (France) and Dan du Preez (South Africa) made their international debuts. Notes: *

Giorgi Chkhaidze Giorgi Chkhaidze (born 20 August 1981 in Tbilisi) is a Georgian rugby union player who plays as a flanker. He moved to France, where he has played for six clubs— Massy (2006–07), Racing 92 (at the time Racing Métro 92; 2007–2009), whe ...

(Georgia) earned his 100th test cap. ----

Week 5

Notes: * Marcel Becker, Rafael Dutta, Sebastian Fromm, Gino Gennaro, Luke Haynes, Carsten Lang,

Robert Lehmann Robert Lehmann (born 9 January 1984 in Erfurt) is a German long track speed skating, long track speed skating, speed skater who participates in international competitions. Personal records Career highlights ;Olympic Winter Games :200 ...

, Tim Lichtenberg, Felix Martel, Stefan Mau, Senzo Ngubane, Robin Plümpe, Max Reinhard, Kain Rix and Benedikt Sabinarz (all Germany) made their international debuts. * This was the first meeting between the two nations. ---- Notes: * Renato Giammarioli (Italy) and

Warrick Gelant Warrick Wayne Gelant (born 20 May 1995) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the South Africa national team and in the Top 14. His regular position is fullback, He was a member of the winning Springboks a ...

(South Africa) made their international debuts. ---- ---- Notes: * Phil Burleigh (Scotland) and Taniela Tupou (Australia) made their international debuts. * Stuart Hogg was named in the starting XV, but was injured in the warm-up. *

Sekope Kepu Sekope Kepu (born 5 February 1986) is an Australian professional rugby union player. He is a prop and currently plays for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. He has previously played for Australian club New South Wales Waratahs, the French club Bordea ...

is the first Wallaby to be red-carded since

Tevita Kuridrani Tevita Kuridrani (born 31 March 1991) is a Fijian-born Australian rugby union player. His usual position is outside-centre. He is currently with French club Biarritz and previously played for the Brumbies and Western Force in Super Rugby. Kuridr ...

in 2013. * This is Scotland's largest winning margin over Australia, surpassing the nine-point margin set in 1981. * This is the most points Scotland has ever scored against Australia. * This is Scotland's first win over Australia in Scotland since 2009. * This is the first time that Scotland has beaten Australia more than once in one calendar year. * Scotland retain the

Hopetoun Cup The Hopetoun Cup was established as a perpetual rugby union trophy between Australia and Scotland in 1998. In the spirit of the link between the two countries, it is named for John Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun (1860–1908), a Scotsman, who, as th ...

for the first time since 2012. ---- ---- Notes: * Jamie-Jerry Taulagi (Samoa) made his international debut. ---- Notes: *

Adrian Motoc Adrian is a form of the Latin language, Latin given name Adrianus (given name), Adrianus or Hadrianus (disambiguation), Hadrianus. Its ultimate origin is most likely via the former river Adria (river), Adria from the Venetic language, Venetic and ...

Kuselo Moyake Kuselo Moyake (born 7 August 1986) is a South African-born Romanian rugby union player, currently playing with Romanian side Universitatea Cluj. His regular position is flanker. He also plays for Romania's national team, the Oaks, making his int ...

(both Romania) and Leo Halavatau (Tonga) made their international debuts. ---- Notes: * Ratunaisa Navuma (Fiji) made his international debut. * Campese Ma'afu (Fiji) earned his 50th test cap. * This is Fiji's largest winning margin over Canada, surpassing the 31-point difference set in 2000. ---- Notes: * Rhys Priestland and Scott Williams (both Wales) earned their 50th test caps. ---- Notes: *

Adam Byrne Adam Byrne (born 20 April 1994) is an Irish rugby union player for Connacht Rugby. His preferred position is on the wing, although he also plays at full-back. His brother Sam is a professional football player. Leinster career Byrne made his ...

(Ireland) made his international debut. ---- Notes: * This is the first draw between the two nations. * Gabriel Lacroix and Sekou Macalou (both France) made their international debuts. * This was the first rugby match at U Arena, which opened the previous month and became the new home of

Top 14 The Top 14 () is a professional rugby union club competition that is played in France. Created in 1892, the Top 14 is at the top of the national league system operated by the French National Rugby League, also known by its French initialism o ...

side

Racing 92 Racing 92 () is a French rugby union club based in suburban Paris that was formed in 2001 with the collaboration of the Racing Club de France and US Métro. They were called Racing Métro 92 between 2001 and 2015, when they changed the name ...

in December 2017. Notes * Hadleigh Parkes (Wales) and

Lukhanyo Am Lukhanyo Am (born 28 November 1993) is a South African professional rugby union player for the South Africa national team and the in the United Rugby Championship. His regular positions are centre and wing. Professional career Am played for ...

and Louis Schreuder (both South Africa) made their international debuts. * Wales retain the Prince William Cup.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:End-of-year

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2017–18 in European rugby union 2017 in Oceanian rugby union 2017 in North American rugby union 2017 in South American rugby union 2017 in African rugby union 2017–18 in Japanese rugby union End-of-year rugby union End-of-year rugby union