KEY POINTS:
Italy v Australia
Rome, 3am tomorrow
Italy coach Pierre Berbizier has chosen experience over new talent for the test against a Wallabies side looking for their first win on tour.
The Frenchman has picked only one player with less than 10 caps in 22-year-old flanker Alessandro Zanni.
New
Zealand-born wing Kaine Robertson's recent impressive performances earn him a recall.
Italy are without prop Salvatore Perugini, the 30-test veteran on a five-match ban for headbutting in a Heineken Cup game. But their most experienced international, Andrea Lo Cicero, is there to anchor the front row.
Australia have skipper Stirling Mortlock back after knee surgery. He slots in at centre pushing Lote Tuqiri back to the wing. Mat Rogers continues at first five-eighth. Cameron Shepherd, the two-try hero from the draw with Wales last week, gets no thanks from coach John Connolly and heads to the bench to make way for Clyde Rathbone.
It was 69-21 to the Wallabies when the sides last met, in June 2005, but Italy will see this as a top shot for an upset.
England v Argentina
Twickenham, 3.25am tomorrow
The All Blacks have just shredded England's reputation at home but the Pumas aren't feeling confident of doing the same. A seventh straight defeat would be England's worst run for 32 years but Argentina captain Agustin Pichot is not buying into that sort of talk.
"We have never beaten England in England. Personally, it would be massive for Argentina to beat the world champions," Pichot says.
England coach Andy Robinson is calling for a repeat of the attacking style that brought three tries against the All Blacks.
New Zealand-born Perry Freshwater gets his first start at loosehead prop instead of the injured Andy Sheridan.
Argentina, though struggling with injuries and with little preparation time, will offer a huge examination of England's set pieces.
"We have respect for the unique way Argentina play the game," Robinson says. "They love to maul and with the close quarter ruck and drive they are probably the best in the world."
Scotland v Romania
Edinburgh, 3.25am tomorrow
Most Scotland supporters will regard this opener as by far the least glamorous of their side's three tests this month.
But coach Frank Hadden insists it will be much more important than the tussles with the Pacific Islanders and Australia over the following weekends.
Not only will Hadden be keen to see his troops continue the improvement established in the Six Nations - which included a cherished win over England - he desperately wants to "put down a marker" in the build up to the World Cup next year.
"Romania are in our group, so that makes this match particularly significant," Hadden says.
"The aim is to win - and win in a convincing manner. That would certainly represent a major confidence boost at a crucial time."
The coach was backed up by skipper Jason White, who labelled the visitors "potential banana skin merchants".
Wales v Pacific Islanders
Cardiff, 3.25am tomorrow
Pacific Islanders coach Pat Lam is confident his side will acquit themselves well despite being without star wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca.
The Fiji flyer, who plays for French side Agen, has lost his passport and has been left stranded in France.
But Lam has eight British-based representatives in a side with plenty of attacking options.
This is the Islanders' first test in the Northern Hemisphere.
They face a Wales side with 14 changes to the lineup that started the 29-29 draw against Australia.
James Hook, who starred at first five-eighth after replacing injured captain Stephen Jones, has been moved to second five-eighth, with Ceri Sweeney taking over the No 10 jersey.
Fullback Kevin Morgan is the only survivor from the side who started against the Wallabies.
Hook's midfield partner is Ospreys teammate Sonny Parker, who has come out of international retirement to rejoin the squad nearly a year after winning his last cap.
Michael Owen is back from shoulder surgery in the second row.
Ireland v South Africa
Dublin, 5.55am tomorrow
The Springboks are resting several stars at home for next year's World Cup, and will field an all-new back three at Lansdowne Rd.
Ireland won the last match between them, a 17-12 upset in Dublin in 2004, for a first win over South Africa since 1965.
This time, the Triple Crown winners are slightly favoured.
Ireland haven't played since the winless tour Down Under in June.
The Springboks will debut fullback Bevin Fortuin and wingers Jaco Pretorius and Francois Steyn among 11 changes from their last outing, the 24-16 win over Australia in September.
Only John Smit has survived from the South Africa team which lost to Ireland two years ago, and the hooker will equal Gary Teichmann's record with his 36th test as Boks captain.
Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy is cautious of talk about South Africa being an easy scalp: "You never play a bad side from South Africa. You might get them on a bad day but I've never seen a bad South African team. [They] are physical and try and bully you off the field.
- AGENCIES
