Can home nations conquer the south?

England take on South Africa, Scotland tackle New Zealand and Wales square up to Australia in the weekend's rugby internationals.

Can British teams prevail?

Martin Johnson is the only change to the England side that beat Australia to face South Africa on Saturday.

Johnson missed his team's 21-15 win over the Wallabies, but the inspirational skipper is back to face a Springbok side soundly beaten in France two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Wales come into their game with Australia off the back of a morale-boosting win over Tonga, but a Wallaby backlash can be expected following defeats to England and France.

And at Murrayfield, Scotland will field Kiwi-born full-back Brendan Laney against the All Blacks, and in light of the loss to Argentina, it could be a case of damage limitation for Ian McGeechan's men.

Will the southern hemisphere meet its match? Or will rugby's balance of power be restored?

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I was disappointed in the South African performance today. OK they defended well but looked slow and pedestrian out wide. As far as I can see there are only two teams in the northern hemisphere that are capable of taking on SA, NZ and Australia - England and France. On balance England are probably slightly better than France and deserve to be in the top three world rugby nations.

I can¿t understand the criticism from other home nations supporters about England¿s performance. If Ireland, Wales or Scotland had beaten two of the southern hemisphere teams as England have done this Autumn I am sure that their supporters would believe their team was one of the world¿s best.
Paul, England

No. No way. Not a chance. Not in this lifetime. Keep dreaming. Says it all.
Gary, Canada

I wanted to read these comments and got no further than David's of Scotland. I think that any intelligent Scot or Celt would be embarrassed by this sort of petty nonsense by which David chooses to define his sense of nationhood.
David Foster, Sweden

England choke in such dismal fashion in grand slam deciders

David, Scotland

So England are the biggest joke eh Dave of Scotland? Who cares how the points get on the board - a fact your own team would do well to consider given their rather poor run of late.
Paul, England

England choke in such dismal fashion in grand slam deciders. They panic and fidget about when they have to try and impose themselves on the opposition when they are behind under extreme pressure in a crunch game. Or perhaps it's just arrogance that they thought that Ireland at Lansdowne Road were just going to be such easy meat for them that they couldn't pull themselves together when they were behind, as they thought that the grand slam was already in the bag.

And England deserve all the criticism they get if they win playing a forward based mauling/kicking game, because for a supposed major force in world rugby they are the biggest joke around. World cups are not won playing in that fashion. It means that any talk of an over-hyped, underachieving England being a great force is hot air. Back to the dark old days of England under Will Carling I'm afraid.
David, Scotland

I think that England are definitely one of the top two teams in the world. However, they will not be able to call themselves number one until they win on tour. But let's not forget that it seems that Australia and South Africa are also struggling with away form. As for the other Northern sides, with the exception of a French side playing well, they have a long way to go.
Rob Williams, England

England are playing well and can take on any side in the world.
Clint, SA in UK

I can't understand the hype about England as a real world power!

Bob Power, Eire

England are a top three team and its good to see them strong, but England should not be considered number one until they win consistently down under (and in SA). Sending their best team would be a good start, unlike their farcical tour of 1998. I am enjoying international rugby a lot more now that the games are more even. The next step is for the home nations to bring this form on tours.
Tony, New Zealand

I can't understand the hype about England as a real world power! What happens when they play away from Twickenham? They choke. They are the best team in the Northern hemisphere, but the world!! Lets have a reality check. Hopefully I can be proven wrong in the next RWC and all the home nations will put on a good show.
Bob Power, Eire

You would have to be a complete madman to bet on either Wales or Scotland winning this weekend. Let's just hope that they manage to salvage some pride. As for the South Africa vs. England game, I have to say that beating England at Twickenham is possibly the biggest task in world rugby at present, and for that reason I'm afraid to say that it has to be an England win.
Dave, South Africa

England have proved that they can match and beat the best from the southern hemisphere - I also think that Ireland are starting to develop a mentality that they believe they can beat the southern hemisphere teams as well. The Welsh and Scots are years behind - just look at their defeats by a reasonable Argentinean side - England, Ireland and France would have beaten Argentina by at least 30 points!
Rob black, England

England must be rated in the top three in the world

Paul Cullen, England

Home advantage should see England win but only if they stuff the ball up their jumpers and win from 40 metres out as they did against Australia. If they try to run the ball they will be vulnerable to SA counter attacks. Both Wales and Scotland will raise their games to better performances than of late. I hope Wales at least score a try, which will be better than England's drudge of a fortnight ago. But I still expect them both to lose by 25 to 30 points!
David, Wales

I honestly don't think the Wallabies will lose a third match in a row. For Wales it all depends on whether we can disrupt them in the first quarter. I'd like to see some heart, which has been lacking in the past few matches and see us really rip into them. We've nothing to lose and we are expected to get a thrashing. Go for it!

As for England v SA it'll be a tight match but a fancy an England win.

Scotland need a miracle - NZ looked sublime when their backs started clicking through the gears in the Ireland game.
Huw, Wales

England are the best side in the northern hemisphere, and must be rated in the top three in the world. Wales will get thrashed on Saturday, and won't it be interesting watching the All Blacks against some other New Zealanders ,oops, I mean Scots.
Paul Cullen, England

Only England have a real chance of winning this weekend. However, the remark that "England at home are more than a match for any of the southern hemisphere teams" is ludicrous and only based on playing two of the three SH teams recently.

What happened last time England played NZ at Twickenham? England were knocked, convincingly, out of the 1999 World Cup. England don't tour the SH anymore so how can anyone think they're number 1?
Gavin, UK

I have to agree with Mark from England. On their current form, Scotland will never beat the All Blacks. McGeechan needs to look seriously at both Gregor Townsend and John Leslie's contributions over the last five or six games. Most importantly, Scotland must have a dedicated goal kicker.

England are the only home nations team with any hope of success

Mark, England

If McGeechan is intent on using Townsend as an attacking stand-off, he must invest in Chris Patterson as a goal kicker, otherwise he needs to look at letting Gordon Ross have his go in the No.10 shirt and move Toonie back to centre. Oh, and chuck John Leslie in the bin on the way.
Neil Anderson, Scotland

How can Scotland have any chance of beating New Zealand when the Scotland team is made up of players who wheren't even good enough to play for the New Zealand 'B' team?
Gary, Scotland

I think England are too much of a handful for the Springboks in present form. The game may be close but I think England will control it. Wales need to go in believing they can win or we will be humiliated. If England and France have knocked the Australians out of their rhythm then they may be vulnerable if things don't go their way from the start.

However it's more likely that they'll be able to use their losses as a motivational tool and if they play well they know we don't have enough to keep up. I think Scotland could be the team to provide a surprise this weekend.
Neil, Wales

Sorry to the Scots and Welsh readers but England are the only Home Nations team with any hope of success. England at home are more than a match for any of the Southern Hemisphere teams. The only thing that stops them being rated number one is their lack of consistency away from Twickenham. Wales and Scotland will have to perform significantly better than they have in recent matches to keep scores respectable, particularly Wales who will need to beware of the Wallabies after their two successive defeats.
Mark, England