Rugby Union Today: Loose Pass and Ireland pick James Lowe

David Skippers

Another busy day in the rugby union game as Loose Pass returned to Planet Rugby to provide its unique take on several topics in the sport.

What’s on the site

Australia kept their Tri Nations hopes alive when they beat New Zealand in their final Bledisloe Cup Test on Saturday and Loose Pass discusses the improved performance from the Wallabies, the problems facing Wales and their head coach, Wayne Pivac, on the eve of their Autumn Nations Cup opener against Ireland in Dublin as well as the All Blacks’ mental capitulation during that defeat against the Wallabies.

Elsewhere, Uncapped Leinster wing James Lowe has been selected to start for Ireland in their Autumn Nations Cup opener against Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Pivac has acknowledged that Wales are under pressure ahead of their Autumn Nations Cup campaign after they lost their five previous Tests.

What’s in the news

Six Nations Rugby has announced the cancellation of the three remaining matches of this year’s Women’s tournament due to logistical complications caused by Covid-19.

In Australia, veteran All Blacks second-row Sam Whitelock said the onus is on players to make adjustments to their tackle heights in order to avoid being sent off for illegal hits.

What’s on social media

Irish Rugby launched a competition where fans are given the opportunity to sing Ireland’s Call alongside the players when they take on Wales in Dublin on Friday.

What’s on TV

The Autumn Nations Cup begins this weekend and most of the matches will be shown on Amazon Prime. Channel 4 also have a few games, with Ireland v Wales the one being broadcast on the free-to-air station on Friday.

Meanwhile, despite the completion of the Bledisloe Cup, there is still plenty of southern hemisphere action as New Zealand take on Argentina on Sky Sports.

Finally, it is the sixth round of the PRO14 on Premier Sports, with Leinster’s clash against Edinburgh the standout fixture.