Martin Johnson will display the wares of his new Rose of England before hosting the SANZAR giants. Interestingly, the English pack looks strong and abrasive and this should provide the winning of the game, buttressed by giant prop Andy Sheridan and a young dynamic back row.

The new playmaking combination of Danny Cipriani and Riki Flutey should provide too much tactical nous for the Islanders. However, the three captains of the islands - Mosese Rauluni (Fiji), Filipo Levi (Samoa) and Nili Latu (Tonga) - are all present and there is strike power in the form of Seru Rabeni, Seilala Mapasua and Gavin Williams. With Glen Ella coaching the back division they will be a danger team but should not challenge what will no doubt be a pragmatic glimpse of the old Rose of England, who should win by eight.

WALES v SOUTH AFRICA - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Head to head: Played 22, South Africa 20, Wales 1, Draw 1. Last game: Springboks 37 Wales 21 in Pretoria, South Africa, 2008.

A Red Dragons team resembling a Grand Slam-winning side rather than an injury-riddled touring outfit await in their grand fortress in the land of song. Not only are Slam heroes Gavin Henson, Martyn Williams and Lee Byrne restored, but in-form Cardiff Blues duo Leigh Halfpenny and Andy Powell get debuts to round off what is also a very strong bench with James Hook and Dwayne Peel. They will not have a better chance to down the world champions.

Sixteen of Peter de Villiers' starting 22 played Wales in their last Test some months ago. The dramatic changes are the shifting of John Smit to prop to "prolong his career", and Ruan Pienaar’s inclusion at No.10 with no true specialist fly-half in the squad. However, this is the World Cup-winning team match-hardened by the Currie Cup, so they should have a little too much brutality for Warren Gatland’s men and will triumph by four.

SCOTLAND v NEW ZEALAND - Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Head to head: Played 26, New Zealand 24, Scotland 0, Draw 2. Last game: All Blacks 40 Scotland 0, 2007 World Cup in Murrayfield, Scotland

Graham Henry has selected what some are calling a second string team, but make no mistake this is still a very strong-looking outfit, largely selected on form. Three players make their Test debuts - Liam Messam, Kieran Read and Jamie Mackintosh - all of whom were captains for their provincial sides. Keven Mealamu becomes the third man to captain the All Blacks this year and, as an insurance policy, both Richie McCaw and Dan Carter lurk on the bench.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has responded by naming an experienced side, with former captain Jason White recalled to head a strong loose forward combination in an attempt to outplay the inexperience littered throughout the All Blacks - especially in the back row. However, for all the tough talk - headed by Scotland assistant and former All Black Mike Brewer - it is unlikely Scotland will challenge what has been 2008’s best team, who should win by at least 20. Only referee Wayne Barnes could influence the result...

IRELAND v CANADA - Limerick, Ireland

Head to head: Played 3, Ireland 2, Canada 0, Draw 1. Last game: Ireland 27 Canada 27 in Toronto, Canada, 2000.

Respected Irish coach Declan Kidney has named a strong team in his first match as Ireland boss, featuring kingpins Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell. Keith Earls debuts at the back, while outstanding No.8 Jamie Heaslip - arguably the Emerald Isle's best player on their southern tour - retains his place. It will be interesting to see how the great fallers of world rugby will perform under their new coach, notable for his success with Munster.

Canada coach Kieran Crowley, formerly in charge of Taranaki and the U19 All Blacks, has high hopes for his side, a mix of players from Canadian and European clubs. Hooker Pat Riordan captains the side in a front row combining nearly 100 caps. Ryan Smith is the most capped back with 39 Test caps, but it is likely that, despite showing recent improvement, the Canucks will struggle against a powerful Irish team on paper, who should win by 15.

FRANCE v ARGENTINA - Marseille, France

Head to head: Played 41, France 30, Argentina 10, Draw 1. Last game: Argentina 34 France 10, 2007 World Cup playoff in Paris, France.

A very powerful French team featuring eight men from Toulouse in a side with no obvious weaknesses, although usual centre David Skrela’s selection at 10 is caused by injuries to front line French fly-halves. The French have selected a big pack captained by Lional Nallet and featuring defensive beast Thierry Dusautoir. However, Argentina has become the bete noire to France, winning six of their last seven matches including back-to-back wins at the “French” World Cup.

Argentine coach Santiago Phelan will want to ensure his Pumas follow up the excellent results of last year’s World Vup – especially now former French maestro Fabien Galthié has linked up with them.

French assistant Emile Ntamack said Argentina were “a team brimming with talent that are difficult to move around”. But if the French continue to showcase the all-attacking style they have unveiled this year, they may well unlock the Pumas' defence to win by six.