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 by humans as being in the same celestial sphere, celestial hemisphere relative to the invariable plane of the Solar ...

, 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 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 varied, as has the n ...

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 States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

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

Fiji Fiji, 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 consists of an archipelago of more than 330 islands—of which about ...

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

Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa and known until 1997 as Western Samoa, is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main islands (Savai'i and Upolu), two smaller, inhabited ...

. 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 South Caucasus * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States Georgia may also refer to: People and fictional characters * Georgia (name), a list of pe ...

for the first time and France hosting

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

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 Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

and the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

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

Romania Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern and Southeast Europe. It borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, Moldova to ...

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, is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania. The country has 171 islands, of which 45 are inhabited. Its total surface area is about , scattered over in the southern Pacific Ocean. accordin ...

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

Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...

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 (, ; ; ) is a city in southern France, the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Haute-Garonne department and of the Occitania (administrative region), Occitania region. The city is on the banks of the Garonne, River Garonne, from ...

, while Fiji faced Canada in

Narbonne Narbonne ( , , ; ; ; 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 Mediterranean Sea and was ...

. With

Uruguay Uruguay, officially the Oriental Republic of 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 the Río de la Plata to the south and the A ...

'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 on the west coast of Southern Africa. Its borders include the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south; in the no ...

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, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...

in November 2015 and November 2016,

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

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 western South America. It is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica, stretching along a narrow strip of land between the Andes, Andes Mountains and the Paci ...

and the

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

Belgium Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...

and Spain for the first time.

Fixtures

October

Notes: *

Sam Cane Samuel Jordan Cane (born 13 January 1992) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a flanker for the Japan Rugby League One club Tokyo Sungoliath and the New Zealand national team. He is also the former Captain of the New Zealand n ...

(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. ---- ----

3/4 November

---- Notes: *

Asaeli Ai Valu is a professional rugby union player who plays as a Prop (rugby union), prop for Japan Rugby League One club Saitama Wild Knights. Born in Tonga, he represents Japan national rugby union team, Japan at international level after qualifying on I ...

Kazuki Himeno is a Japanese professional rugby union player who plays as a number eight for Japan Rugby League One club Toyota Verblitz and captains the Japan national team. Praised for a numerous attributes including physical ball carrying, strong defen ...

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 known as the Top League ...

, Sione Teaupa 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 . He previously played for the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby, and signed with the New South Wales Waratahs ahead ...

(Australia) made their international debuts. * Ben McCalman (Australia) earned his 50th test cap. ---- Notes: * New Zealand claimed the Killik Cup.

10/11 November

---- ---- 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, Giovanni Licata, Ian McKinley, 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 the Tel Aviv Heat. He previously played for Top 14 side Castres and Top 14 side, Stade Toulousain and Premiership Rugby side ...

and Ropate Rinakama (both Fiji) made their international debuts. ---- Notes: * Jamie Bhatti, Darryl Marfo, Chris Harris, George Turner (all Scotland),

AJ Alatimu AJ Alatimu (born 25 March 1993) is a Samoan rugby union player who plays for the Houston Sabercats of Major League Rugby Major League Rugby (MLR) is a professional rugby union competition in the United States. The league comprises 11 tea ...

, Donald Brighouse, Melani Matavao and

Josh Tyrell Josh Tyrell is a New Zealand-born rugby union lock Lock(s) or Locked may refer to: Common meanings *Lock and key, a mechanical device used to secure items of importance *Lock (water navigation), a device for boats to transit between differ ...

(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 (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 ...

. ---- Notes: * Bundee Aki 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 Ireland ...

(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 Judicaël Cancoriet (born 25 April 1996) is a French rugby union player. His position is Flanker and he currently plays for La Rochelle in the Top 14 The Top 14 () is a professional rugby union club competition that is played in France. C ...

, Raphael Chaume, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Paul Gabrillagues and Anthony Jelonch (all France) made their international debuts. * Yoann Huget (France) earned his 50th test cap. * New Zealand retain the

Dave Gallaher Trophy The Dave Gallaher Trophy is a rugby union perpetual 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 ...

14 November

18 November

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 (Argentina) earned his 50th test cap. ---- Notes: * Nelius Theron (Namibia) made his international debut. *

Gastón Mieres Gastón Mieres (born 5 October 1989 in Punta del Este, Uruguay) is a Uruguayan rugby union player who plays for Canadian club Toronto Arrows in Major League Rugby (MLR) and the Uruguay national rugby union team Los Teros as a fullback. Career ...

(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 (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 Blake Enever (born 12 October 1991) is an Australian rugby union footballer who plays as a lock. Early life Enever was born in Buderim, in the hinterland of Queensland's Sunshine Coast. He attended Sunshine Coast Grammar School where he play ...

(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. * 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 Huluholo Etueni Lopeti Moungaloa (born December 13, 1989) is a rugby union player who plays Rugby union positions#Prop, prop for the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby (MLR). He also plays for the United States men's national rugby union team, ...

(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 is a Korean-Japanese professional rugby union player who plays as a prop for Japan Rugby League One club Kobelco Kobe Steelers. Born in South Korea, he represents Japan at international level after qualifying on residency grounds. He also ch ...

(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 and Byron McGuigan (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.

25 November

Notes: * Giorgi Chkhaidze (Georgia) earned his 100th test cap. ---- Notes: * Marcel Becker, Rafael Dutta,

Sebastian Fromm Sebastian may refer to: People and fictional characters * Sebastian (name), including a list of persons and fictional characters with the name * Saint Sebastian, a Christian saint martyred in the 3rd century * Sebastian of Portugal (1554–1578 ...

, Gino Gennaro, Luke Haynes, Carsten Lang, Robert Lehmann, 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 United Rugby Championship. His regular position is fullback, He was a member of the w ...

(South Africa) made their international debuts. ---- ---- Notes: * Phil Burleigh (Scotland) and Taniela Tupou (Australia) made their international debuts. *

Stuart Hogg Stuart William Hogg (born 24 June 1992) is a Scottish professional rugby union player, who plays for Montpellier of the French Top 14. He has represented Scotland at international level, having made his test debut against Wales during the 2 ...

was named in the starting XV, but was injured in the warm-up. *

Sekope Kepu Sekope Kepu (born 5 February 1986) is a retired Australian professional rugby union player. He is a prop and last played for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby in 2024. He has previously played for Australian club New South Wales Waratahs, the French ...

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 Centre (rugby union), outside-centre. He is currently with French club Biarritz Olympique, Biarritz and previously played for the Brumbies ...

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 is a rugby union trophy contested between Australia and Scotland. Established in 1998, the award is a link between the two countries and is named after John Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun (1860–1908). Hope, a Scotsman, was the fo ...

for the first time since 2012. ---- ---- Notes: * Jamie-Jerry Taulagi (Samoa) made his international debut. ---- Notes: * Adrian Motoc, Kuselo Moyake (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 (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 National Rugby League (France), France National Rugby League, also ...

side

Racing 92 Racing 92 () is a French professional rugby union club based in the Hauts-de-Seine department, Paris' western inner Banlieue, suburbs that competes in Top 14. The club plays its home matches at the 30,681-capacity Stadium#Types, domed stadium Pa ...

in December 2017.

2 December

Notes *

Hadleigh Parkes Hadleigh William Parkes (born 5 October 1987) is a New Zealand-born Welsh international rugby union player, whose favoured position is at the centre. He currently plays for the Black Rams Tokyo in the Japan Rugby League One. Parkes also has ...

(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 Louis Schreuder (born 25 April 1990) is a South African rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for Bath in Premiership Rugby. Club career Born and raised in the Western Cape, Schreuder came through the ranks at and made his senior d ...

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

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:End-of-year

2017 2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly. Events January * January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...

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