1 New Zealand WWWWL

England London, Nov 5
France Lyon, Nov 11
France Paris, Nov 18
Wales Cardiff, Nov 25

Undisputed top dogs. If they trounce Europe's finest for the third straight autumn, the All Blacks will quickly be even shorter odds to win next year's World Cup.

2 France WWWWW

New Zealand Lyon, Nov 11
New Zealand Paris, Nov 18
Argentina Paris, Nov 25

A huge year for the French begins with questions still hanging over their long-term consistency. Badly need to win one of their two Tests against the All Blacks to establish some World Cup momentum.

3 South Africa LLLWW

Ireland Dublin, Nov 11
England London, Nov 18
England London, Nov 25

Have left out many of their leading players, although the electric wing Bryan Habana will be touring after all. The Springboks' two Tests at Twickenham will be crucial games for their under-fire coach, Jake White.

4 Australia WLWLL

Wales Cardiff, Nov 4
Italy Rome, Nov 11
Ireland Dublin, Nov 19
Scotland Edinburgh, Nov 25

Experimenting under John Connolly, with Matt Giteau at scrum-half and Stephen Larkham in the centre. What they really need, though, is a few more world-class, young forwards.

5 Ireland WWLLL

South Africa Dublin, Nov 11
Australia Dublin, Nov 19
Pacific Islanders Dublin, Nov 26

There is more depth in more positions than at any stage in Ireland's history as they say farewell to the old Lansdowne Road. This could be an auspicious season if they avoid excessive injuries.

6 England LLLLL

New Zealand London, Nov 5
Argentina London, Nov 11
South Africa London, Nov 18 & Nov 25

Five straight defeats, starting in a disastrous Six Nations campaign, have left Andy Robinson's men with no option but to try something different. Need to show swift signs of improvement to mount a realistic World Cup challenge.

7 Scotland WLWLL

Romania Edinburgh, Nov 11
Pacific Islanders Edinburgh, Nov 18
Australia Edinburgh, Nov 25

The Scots are quietly gaining in confidence under Frank Hadden and and may just fancy winning all three of their games, Romania and the Pacific Islanders providing warm-ups for the big one, against Australia.

8 Argentina WWLWW

England London, Nov 11
Italy Rome, Nov 18
France Paris, Nov 25

Have picked all their big European-based players and look perfectly equipped to give England a real run for their money at Twickenham next weekend.

9 Wales LDLLL

Australia Cardiff, Nov 4
Pacific Islanders Cardiff, Nov 11
Canada Cardiff, Nov 17
New Zealand Cardiff, Nov 25

A new coach, a new captain and a fresh sense of purpose for the 2005 Six Nations champions. Australia will do well to hold them in Cardiff today and their meeting with New Zealand will tell us precisely how good they are.

10 Italy LWLWW

Australia Rome, Nov 11
Argentina Rome, Nov 18
Canada Udine, Nov 25

Improving steadily under the former France coach Pierre Berbizier, and recently qualified in style for the World Cup. Their forwards, in particular, are respected by every opposing team in the world these days.