Perhaps for the last time, with fixture reform due to take hold over the coming years, this summer will be shaped by several two-Test series. Four of them are contests between teams from the Rugby Championships and visitors from the Six Nations; and each of those promises to be action-packed and highly intriguing.
As ever, the northern hemisphere tourists are largely underdogs. Equally, though, they are capable of doling out bloody noses. These games are not the only ones going on. Scotland are on a mission to develop depth in the Americas, taking on Canada, USA, Chile and Uruguay. Italy were overturned by Samoa on Friday morning and Georgia host Fiji later in the day.
But back-to-back encounters always offer something extra. If nothing else, there is scope for additional spite as fiercely motivated players come together for two weekends in succession. Here are our predictions and players to watch for each side.
New Zealand v England
Make no mistake, this is an almighty opportunity for England. With six Tests under their belt this year already, we can expect them to be coherent, well-conditioned and clear about their tactical direction. Relative rookies like Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Chandler Cunningham-South will introduce themselves to the New Zealand public if they translate recent form.
All that said, beating the All Blacks away from home, for the first time since 2003 and just the third time in history, would be a monumental achievement. Scott Robertson is bound to add some sort of bounce, even if crucial positions – lock, blindside flanker, scrum-half, fly-half – have been revamped.
