A depleted England appear to be ripe for the taking by a near full-strength All Blacks, who returned to the No. 1 world ranking this week.

The match features in the middle of a busy schedule, starting with Japan attempting to sweep Canada in their second test in Tokyo. Australia tries to rebound from the end of its grand slam dream by taking out its frustration on Scotland at Murrayfield, world champion South Africa seeks its first tour win at Italy's expense, Wales hosts Argentina, France welcomes Samoa, and Ireland meets Fiji.

The English scratched out a late 16-9 win over Argentina last weekend, after which manager Martin Johnson admitted his team deserved to be booed by their fans for their lack of basics and imagination. Johnson has spent the rest of the week defending against widespread criticism of his coaching staff's strategy and influence.

World Cup winners Josh Lewsey and Will Greenwood led the barrage, with Greenwood going so far as to call for Steve Borthwick to be replaced as captain.

But All Blacks coach Graham Henry believed the criticism will unite England.

"They were booed during the 2007 World Cup and ended up reaching the final," Henry said.

"They're inclined to come right when they play big games.

Playing Argentina was very difficult for them. They were expected to win while Argentina had nothing to lose and those games are difficult when you're not clicking.

"They'll be on the edge of the edge on Saturday. We know that and have no false illusions, even if other people do."

Johnson brought back veteran forwards Simon Shaw and Joe Worsley and gave French-based midfielder Ayoola Erinle his first start opposite Ma'a Nonu to try and end a six-year drought against New Zealand.

The All Blacks' rugged defense has conceded only one try in tour wins over Australia, Wales and Italy, but their own lack of tries has kept their opponents hopeful longer than desired.

The backline will be expected to fire with the return from a one-match suspension of flyhalf Dan Carter, who needs only two points to overtake Andrew Mehrtens as the All Blacks' greatest points-scorer in tests.

Ireland's last-minute converted try for a 20-20 draw last weekend ended Australia's grand slam hopes, but the chance of a rare unbeaten European campaign remains.

Only Dublin man of the match David Pocock was rested by the Wallabies, with former captain George Smith recalled to meet Scotland.

The Scots, unchanged from the 23-10 win over Fiji, haven't beaten the Wallabies in 16 tests since 1982.

"We can't worry about 27 years of history," Scotland's Australian-born lock Nathan Hines said.

"All we've got to worry about is the game at the weekend.

History is history - maybe we can make a little bit of our own."

Wales have lost four of its last six matches against Argentina, but expects to put away a rebuilding Pumas side at Millennium Stadium.

The Pumas made only two changes from the loss to England, and Wales coach Warren Gatland doesn't believe their limited attack will pose much threat to the home side.

"Argentina are a dogged side. They are tough and physical, but they don't play a huge amount of rugby," Gatland said.

He brought in Ospreys lock Jonathan Thomas as a reserve on Thursday after Cardiff's Bradley Davies sprained an ankle in training. Also, fullback Morgan Stoddart was ruled out indefinitely with a torn hamstring.

France also had to make a late change, when No. 8 Louis Picamoles was ruled out of playing Samoa because of a knee injury in training and replaced at No. 8 by flanker Julien Bonnaire, whose position was filled by captain Thierry Dusautoir.

France has changed almost the entire side from the 20-13 win over South Africa to rest the first-choice players for the All Blacks next week.

"We're taking a calculated risk," said coach Marc Lievremont.

Six Nations champion Ireland also made sweeping changes, but it has never lost to Fiji.

England v New Zealand - London (16:30 SA time)

Teams:

England: 15 Mark Cueto, 14 Matt Banahan, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Ayoola Erinle, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 James Haskell, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Steve Borthwick (captain), 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Tim Payne
Replacements: 16 Steve Thompson, 17 David Wilson, 18 Louis Deacon, 19 Tom Croft, 20 Danny Care, 21 Shane Geraghty, 22 Mathew Tait

New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn/Aled de Malmanche, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Jerome Kaino, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Tamati Ellison.

SARugby.com Prediction: All Blacks by 8.

Wales v Argentina - Cardiff (16:30 SA time)

Teams:

Wales: 15 James Hook, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Jamie Roberts, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Gareth Cooper, 8 Ryan Jones, (captain), 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Andy Powell, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Paul James, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Gethin Jenkins
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Dan Lydiate, 20 Dwayne Peel, 21 Andrew Bishop, 22 Tom James

Argentina: 15 Horacio Agulla, 14 Lucas Borges, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Martin Rodriguez, 11 Mauro Comuzzi, 10 Santiago Fernandez, 9 Agustin Figuerola, 8 Juan Fernandez Lobbe (captain), 7 Alejandro Abadie, 6 Tomas Leonardi, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Mariano Sambucetti, 3 Martin Scelzo, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements: 16 Alberto Vernet Basualdo, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Manuel Carizza, 19 Alejandro Campos, 20 Alfredo Lalanne, 21 Benjamin Urdapilleta, 22 Horacio San Martin

SARugby.com Prediction: Wales by 10.

France v Samoa - Paris (19:00 SA time)

Teams:

France: 15 Maxime Medard, 14 Benjamin Fall, 13 David Marty, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Vincent Clerc, 10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Julien Bonnaire, 7 Thierry Dusautoir, 6 Alexandre Lapandry, 5 Pascal Pape, 4 Sebastien Chabal, 3 Sylvain Marconnet (captain), 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Thomas Domingo.
Replacements: 16 Guilhem Guirado, 17 Nicolas Mas, 18 Romain Millo-Chluski, 19 Julien Puricelli , 20 Julien Dupuy, 21 Damien Traille, 22 Yann David, 23 Fabien Barcella.

Samoa: 15 Lolo Lui, 14 Loakimo Mulipola, 13 Henry Fa'afili, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 David Lemi, 10 Fa'atonu Fili, 9 Junior Poluleuligaga, 8 Ofisa Treviranus, 7 Henry Tuilagi, 6 Jonathan Fa'amatuainu, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Filipo Levi, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 , Sakaria Taulafo
Replacements: 16 Andrew Williams, 17 Junior Fatialofa, 18 Iosefa Tekori, Timoteo Iosua, 20 Uale Mai, 21 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 22 Titi Esau

SARugby.com Prediction: France by 17.

Ireland v Fiji - Dublin (19:15 SA time)

Teams:

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Denis Leamy, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Leo Cullen, 3 John Hayes, 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Tony Buckley, 18 Donncha O'Callaghan, 19 Sean O'Brien, 20 Tomas O'Leary, 21 Paddy Wallace, 22 Andrew Trimble.

Fiji: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 12 Seremaia Baikeinuku (captain), 11 Nasoni Roko, 10 Nicky Little, 9 Mosese Rauluni, 8 Asaeli Boko, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Apolosi Satala; 5 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 4 Wame Lewaravu, 3 Viliame Seuseu, 2 Viliame Veikoso, 1 Asaike Tarogi
Replacements: 16 Isireli Ledua, 17 Graham Dewes, 18 Leone Nakarawa, 19 Samu Bola, 20 Waisale Vatuvoka, 21 Josh Matavesi, 22 Timoci Nagusa

SARugby.com Prediction: Ireland by 19.

Scotland v Australia - Edinburgh (19:15 SA time)

Teams:

Scotland: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Chris Cusiter (captain), 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 John Barclay, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alastair Kellock, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Moray Low, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Jason White, 19 Richie Vernon, 20 Mike Blair, 21 Chris Paterson, 22 Nick De Luca.

Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Digby Ioane, 12 Quade Cooper, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 James Horwill, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 Richard Brown, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 James O'Connor.

SARugby.com Prediction: Wallabies by 12.