5 Heroes & 5 Zeros: Autumn Nations Series Week 1

The matches commenced at the home of English Rugby, as the Allianz Stadium hosted the opening fixture from Saturday's schedule. England avenged their heart-breaking defeat to the Wallabies from a year prior, as Steve Borthwick's side racked up a commanding 25-7 win over Australia to ignite their Autumn efforts. The action then moved from West to North London, as Wembley Stadium provided the back-drop for South Africa's 61-7 hammering of Eddie Jones' Japan.

Scotland then took hold of the try-scoring torch for the third match of the afternoon, as Gregor Townsend's side orchestrated a devastating 85-0 victory over the United States. This triumph marked the highest margin of Scottish victory ever recorded at Murrayfield Stadium, with Team USA handed a harsh wake-up call upon Test match life against a Tier One nation.

Ireland and New Zealand closed out the opening round, with their hotly anticipated match-up out in Chicago's Soldier Field. Billed as a re-match some nine years in the making, after Ireland bagged their first ever victory over the All Blacks in the same venue back in 2016, it was New Zealand that leveled their series within the Windy City. Scott Robertson's side battled beyond the resilient efforts of Andy Farrell's men, for a solid 26-13 victory in the land of stars and stripes.

So, with the first weekend of the Autumn officially wrapped up, we're taking a look at the five players who starred on Saturday, and another five who would rather forget all about the fixtures. The first installment of our 'Heroes and Zeroes' series has arrived for the Autumn, with all the highs and lows picked out from the first quartet of November's Test match schedule.

Given the nod to start at scrum-half for Scotland's opening clash of the Autumn, the versatile Jamie Dobie put in a tremendous performance against the USA that has shaken up the halfback pecking order. The 24-year-old got the start ahead of George Horne, and Dobie could well have worked his way upon the squad list for Scotland's upcoming clash against the All Blacks.

The Glasgow Warriors man wasted no time in making his mark against the visitors from 'across the pond', as his neat chip over the back-field laid the foundations for his first try of a trilogy. Dobie showcased a stunning burst of pace to support Stafford McDowall's line-break and collect his brace, before highlighting his adaptability by completing his hat-trick from the wing.

Dobie is steadily proving himself as a 'Scots Army Knife', with equal adaptability across scrum half and the wide channels. An honourable mention is in store for all of Scotland's flying backs, as Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham made life out on the touch-line a nightmare for the United States defenders.

Celebrating his 50th England cap in style, Luke Cowan-Dickie was among the standout performers as Steve Borthwick’s men battled past the Wallabies for a solid opening Autumn win. Introduced shortly after the break as the fuse was lit upon the 51st minute 'Bomb Squad', the Sale Sharks hooker made an immediate impact from the bench.

Cowan-Dickie transformed England’s fortunes at the set-piece after a faltering first half in the air, as the weather and the Wallabies disrupted England's line-out consistency. Cowan-Dickie’s precision with the throw was laser-sharp, re-establishing authority and reigniting the forwards’ momentum. The hooker's influence extended to the scrum resurgence, where the replacement front row of fellow British & Irish Lions Ellis Genge and Will Stuart joined him in overpowering the Wallabies pack.

The set-piece dominance culminated in a trademark rolling-maul score, as Cowan-Dickie marked his milestone appearance with a thunderous finish. England captain Maro Itoje summed it up best in the post-match press conference: “It’s my absolute joy and privilege to play with Luke... he’s incredibly talented, tough, resilient, and I’m delighted he got a try on his 50th.”

After being overlooked by Andy Farrell for the British & Irish Lions tour in the Summer, Ryan Baird got his head down and worked his way into 'unignorable' territory. A stand-out performer from Ireland's tour of Georgia and Portugal, Baird has carried this form back to Leinster, as a versatile and solid operator across the locks and in the back row.

It was on the blindside flank where Baird's opportunity lay against the All Blacks, with the 26-year-old eager to seize a rare Ireland start with both hands out in Chicago. The Leinster hard-hitter was he standout performer among the Irish forwards, turning in a display that blended work rate, athleticism, and a sharp rugby intellect.

Baird was everywhere, as he racked up 12 tackles and seven carries while dominating the skies as Ireland’s go-to lineout option. His aerial presence wasn’t just consistent but disruptive, with two lineout steals that halted opposition momentum and swung the balance back green. It was the kind of all-action performance that cements a player’s place in Andy Farrell’s plans, as Baird’s blend of pace and power added a fresh spark to Ireland’s engine room. A flag planted firmly in the turf, with a statement made for future selections.

It is certainly exciting times ahead if you a Springbok or Stormers fan, as fly half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu continues to put in ground-breaking performances for club and country. The latest efforts from the 23-year-old came in South Africa's landslide win over Japan, as he produced a masterclass in control and composure as South Africa tore Japan apart.

The young fly-half’s intelligent kicking and on-field vision were central to the Springboks’ dominance. Feinberg-Mngomezulu's finishing was clinical, as he crossed the line for two superb tries against Eddie Jones' side, and added almost every conversion in a near-perfect display. Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s defensive work was equally impressive, as he combined diligence in the tackle with precision in attack.

His kicking from hand consistently put the Japanese under pressure, turning territory into points with ease. The signs are undeniable, as the rugby world is witnessing the emergence of a generational talent right before it's very eyes. South Africa may have found not just a star, but a cornerstone in the 10 jersey for years to come.

Guess who's back, back again. Henry Pollock returned to England duties sporting bleach-blonde locks that drew eye-catching comparisons to Eminem's alter ego. However, there was nothing at all 'shady' about his performance, as Pollock stepped into the spotlight for a stunning breakaway try, which took the match beyond all doubt as England defeated Australia.

If there is ever a man performing for England beyond his years, it is the Northampton dynamo Henry Pollock. The Saints back rower has continued his meteoric rise under Steve Borthwick, now with three tries in just two England caps after a brace against Wales in the closing round of the 2025 Six Nations. Pollock was flung into the fray along with England's variation of the 'Bomb Squad', as Borthwick channeled his inner 'Bokke' to unleash Pollock alongside four additional Lions capped forwards at the 51st minute.

Pollock's influence was instant, as he bagged a well-taken try midway through the second half, following a smart aerial gather and a supporting line that broke him into space. Undeterred by a desperate last-ditch tap tackle attempt, Pollock pinned his ears back and surged over the line, maintaining composure to finish the move with clinical precision. His strike rate is now three tries in just 36 on-field England minutes, which has electrified both his national team and supporters alike.

Pollock’s celebrations, meanwhile, are becoming a hallmark for Pollock in their own right. From his signature ‘check the pulse’ to now a playful ‘thinker’ pose, the Saints man adds personality to an outstanding performance.

A tough day at the office this. Tadhg Beirne had such an incredible Summer on tour with the British & Irish Lions, with the Munster man named Player of the Series following his ever-present Iron-man efforts. Having been herculean in the red of the Lions and in the colours of his beloved province, red would then signify the down-fall for Beirne's afternoon in Chicago.

Just two minutes into the match, Beauden Barrett carried at pace into the Irish defensive line, with Beirne fronting up to meet the playmaker with a solid collision. Beauden was visibly shaken up by the hit, that did include a degree of head-on-head contact yet the blow was mostly channeled through the chest. The play was then stopped, with Beirne sent to the sin-bin for an off-field review. Soon after, Beirne's tackle was adjudged to qualify for the red card threshold, with no return possible for the lock at Soldier Field.

To say that this refereeing decision received some backlash would be the understatement of the year, as rugby fans regardless of their national bias were quick to debate the red card. The overwhelming majority of those who watched the game believed that Beirne had been hard done by, with even Beauden Barrett expressing after the match how there was no remorseful intent from Beirne to warrant the red, as the Munster man was withdrawn just two minutes into one of the year's most eagerly anticipated match-ups.

It was an afternoon to forget for New Zealand captain Scott Barrett and his brother Jordie as the All Blacks’ were hit by cruel injury blows in Chicago. Scott’s afternoon ended almost before it began, limping off the field with a badly cut leg just three minutes into the match. Jordie, too, was forced off in the 15th minute with a high ankle sprain and knee ligament damage, leaving New Zealand scrambling to adjust.

The younger Barrett’s injury is a major concern ahead of Scotland’s clash, with scans scheduled once the team arrives in Edinburgh. Leicester Fainga’anuku replaced Jordie from the bench, but the sudden disruption robbed the All Blacks of two key figures, both of whom are pivotal in leading the attack and defensive cohesion.

Head coach Scott Robertson confirmed that both siblings would be carefully monitored, as the fallout from their absences reverberates across New Zealand’s squad. On a day marked by misfortune, the Barretts’ forced exits underline just how fragile momentum can be, even for a side as formidable as the All Blacks. Whilst the end result was a hard-fought win over Ireland, New Zealand have plenty to reconfigure as their Autumn Series expedition has hit an early bump in the road.

It was a brutal day in the front row for Shuhei Takeuchi, as the Japanese tighthead prop struggled to find traction against a dominant South African pack. Repeated scrum collapses culminated in a yellow card before half-time, leaving Japan a man down and fighting an uphill battle at Wembley Stadium.

Takeuchi endured relentless pressure, with Springbok powerhouses Ox Nché and Wilco Louw consistently getting the upper hand on the Brave Blossom pillar, forcing Japan onto the back foot and exposing vulnerabilities in the front row. The prop’s difficulties in the set-piece ultimately hampered his side’s platform, making it a long afternoon in both attack and defence.

A few sparks along the wing aside, Max Jorgensen struggled to make his mark in Australia’s opening weekend defeat to England. While he beat a handful of defenders when given the ball, the Waratahs man was largely subdued, far quieter than the breakout star of last year’s fixture.

Defensively, Jorgensen’s tackling was inconsistent, allowing opposition runners to find gaps he would usually close down. In the air, he was outmuscled by the likes of Tom Roebuck, Tommy Freeman and Freddie Steward, as the high-ball became a real area of contention under the Twickenham rain. Some flashes of footwork reminded fans of Jorgensen's potential, but this outing was far from the star-making performance that lit up Allianz Stadium with the match-winning showstopper in 2024.

Re-wind the clocks back one year and Jorgensen was the man of the hour in South West London, as the Wallabies snatched a dramatic last-minute winner to steal the win over England. Whilst the heroics of the 42-37 win are still fondly remembered by Wallabies fans, Jorgensen's efforts failed to capture the spark of this same fixture from 12 months prior.

Outclassed by Scotland in a harsh introduction to taking on a Tier One nation, the United States suffered a heavy 85-0 defeat upon their trip to Edinburgh. This was billed as a milestone match for the USA, as the Eagles ventured upon Scottish soil for their first time in decades, yet the end result was a stark reminder between the gulf in class, made all the more dramatic as Scotland didn't wield the likes of British & Irish Lions Finn Russell, Blair Kinghorn or Pierre Schoeman in the one-sided win.

Just in the same manor that the USA took home a 'zero' from Murrayfield, we've handed the entire squad a place upon this list for the opening weekend of the Autumn. This is not intended as a dig at the side, but more in the sense that the entire squad is taking ownership for the emphatic defeat.

The 85-0 hammering goes down in Murrayfield history, as the biggest margin for a Scottish Test match victory for the men's side. Hat-tricks from Jamie Dobie, Darcy Graham, along with a brace from Duhan van der Merwe and further scores from Dylan Richardson, Stafford McDowall, Kyle Rowe, George Horne and Ollie Smith ensured that this match was far from competitive.