Rugby Tests July: Week 1 lineups, team news, predictions

The two rugby worlds are back together for the first time since the Rugby World Cup, with a major test tournament taking place around the world in July.

World champions South Africa welcome Ireland to the Republic for a much-anticipated showdown, while Scott Robertson takes on England for the first time as All Blacks coach.

Meanwhile, Australia and Wales are locked in battle, with both countries hoping for a reversal of recent fortunes, while France are in Argentina and Scotland head to North America.

It’s been a really exciting few weeks of rugby.

Read on for all the lineups and important team news as soon as it’s released, plus our match previews and odds.

Saturday July 6th

Samoa vs Italy, Apia Park, Apia, 5pm (2pm AEST, 5am GMT)

Samoa: TBA

Italy: To be announced

Team News:

Prediction:

New Zealand vs England, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 7:05pm (5:05pm AEST, 8:05am GMT)

New Zealand: TBA

England: George Furbank, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman, Marcus Smith, Alex Mitchell; Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Chandler Cunningham-South, George Martin, Maro Itoje, Will Stuart, Jamie George (captain), Joe Marler. Replacements: Theo Dan, Fin Baxter, Dan Cole, Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Ben Spencer, Fin Smith, Ollie Sleightholme

Odds: (tab.com.au Australia only) New Zealand $1.18, -11.5 $1.90; England $4.60, +11.5 $1.90

Team News: England manager Steve Borthwick has made two changes to the starting XI that beat Japan in Tokyo two weeks ago, with Joe Marler and Will Stuart replacing Bevan Rodd and Dan Cole at loosehead and tighthead respectively. Cole drops to the bench while Rodd is out of the Matchday 23 squad altogether. Meanwhile, prop Fin Baxter and winger Ollie Sleightholme are set to make their Test debuts after being named as replacements.

Prediction:

Australia vs Wales, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 7:45pm (10:45am GMT)

Australia: TBA

Wales: TBA

Odds: (tab.com.au Australia only) Australia $1.15, -12.5 $1.90; Wales $5.20, +12.5 $1.90

Team News:

Prediction:

South Africa vs. Ireland, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, 5:00pm (1:00am Sun AEST, 4:00pm GMT)

South Africa:

Ireland:

Odds: (tab.com.au, Australia only) South Africa $1.42 -5.5 $1.85; Ireland $2.80, +5.5 $1.95

Team News:

Prediction: