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Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw believes their final autumn nations series fixture against world champions South Africa will be a “proper test” in terms of assessing where the squad is at.

Ireland suffered a dispiriting loss to New Zealand before a below-par victory over Japan, but bounced back in ruthless fashion last weekend with a record 46-19 victory over Australia, with Henshaw scoring one of their six tries.

Having won the Rugby Championship, South Africa are three from three in their November matches in the northern hemisphere.

The Springboks will look to claim a tour clean sweep in Dublin after victories over Japan at Wembley, France and Italy.

Ireland famously stunned South Africa in the group stages of the 2023 World Cup, and the sides drew a summer series in 2024.

And Henshaw hopes the Irish can back up their display against the Wallabies with another big performance at Aviva Stadium on Saturday (17:40 GMT).

“I think they’re the talk of world rugby at the moment in terms of the strength in depth they have, the individual talent,” he said.

“They’re grinding out results… teams looks like they have them and then they find a way to get back.

“It’s a proper test for us to see where we’re at. We have gone toe-to-toe with them, from summer last year it was one win each in that series, so I suppose they’ll be looking at that as well.

“It’s massively exciting because they’re such a proud nation as well and, you know, when we play against them here in Dublin, it’s always a thriller.”

The 32-year-old believes there is still more to come from Ireland as they look to end 2025 on a high.

“I think [against Australia] we conceded quite easily in the first half in that second 20 minutes when they got a roll on,” Henshaw added.

“So, with what’s coming, it’s more of that up-front physicality and big men running down our channels.

Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw believes their final autumn nations series fixture against world champions South Africa will be a “proper test” in terms of assessing where the squad is at.

Ireland suffered a dispiriting loss to New Zealand before a below-par victory over Japan, but bounced back in ruthless fashion last weekend with a record 46-19 victory over Australia, with Henshaw scoring one of their six tries.

Having won the Rugby Championship, South Africa are three from three in their November matches in the northern hemisphere.

The Springboks will look to claim a tour clean sweep in Dublin after victories over Japan at Wembley, France and Italy.

Ireland famously stunned South Africa in the group stages of the 2023 World Cup, and the sides drew a summer series in 2024.

And Henshaw hopes the Irish can back up their display against the Wallabies with another big performance at Aviva Stadium on Saturday (17:40 GMT).

“I think they’re the talk of world rugby at the moment in terms of the strength in depth they have, the individual talent,” he said.

“They’re grinding out results… teams looks like they have them and then they find a way to get back.

“It’s a proper test for us to see where we’re at. We have gone toe-to-toe with them, from summer last year it was one win each in that series, so I suppose they’ll be looking at that as well.

“It’s massively exciting because they’re such a proud nation as well and, you know, when we play against them here in Dublin, it’s always a thriller.”

The 32-year-old believes there is still more to come from Ireland as they look to end 2025 on a high.

“I think [against Australia] we conceded quite easily in the first half in that second 20 minutes when they got a roll on,” Henshaw added.

“So, with what’s coming, it’s more of that up-front physicality and big men running down our channels.

Speaking before the final international window of the year, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill described the number nine jersey as one position where he was “still searching for an option”.

Almost three years since his return to the job, and four months before a World Cup play-off semi-final, the former Stoke City boss’ selections have given the impression that, if he is set on 10 of his first-choice XI, centre-forward remains the place where he is most open to persuasion.

After adding that he “would love someone to really step up”, on Monday night against Luxembourg it was the turn of Tottenham Hotspur attacker Jamie Donley to press his claim as the third different player to lead the line in as many games.

With the winning goal from the penalty spot, and an earlier effort chalked off for an offside, the 20-year-old – currently on loan at Stoke – certainly made the most compelling case of any player to date for an extended run in the position.

Indeed, O’Neill felt Donley was the “best player on the pitch” in what was a dead-rubber qualifier for next summer’s World Cup in North America.

“I wanted to see him as a nine,” continued the manager after Northern Ireland finished their Group A campaign with nine points from six games and in third place behind Germany and Slovakia.

“Look, there’s no secret that the nine is a problem position for us. I think Jamie has different attributes maybe from some of the other strikers.

More used to playing in a deeper position, Donley may not have the physicality of a more orthodox number nine but, quite aside from putting the ball in the net on two occasions, he was a willing runner in the channels too.

“You’re the last line of attack,” Donley said of the main difference between playing up front compared to as a number 10.

“Normally I’m behind the striker. I know I’ve always got someone behind me, but it’s more about running and stretching the game.

“I think I can add that to my game definitely because I don’t think I do enough of that. Michael says that to me a lot about running in behind because the team needs that sometimes.”

Should Donley develop his skills in leading the line, there is no doubt his playmaking ability from deep would still be an asset too.

There is no better example than England and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, a player Donley previously trained with at Spurs.

“He helped me a lot when he was around,” said Donley of Tottenham’s record goalscorer who moved to Germany in August 2024.

Kane’s goalscoring feats came only after a number of frustrating loan spells away from Tottenham earlier in his career with Donley presently enduring similar struggles.

Having impressed at Leyton Orient last season, and made his international debut while with the Brisbane Road club, he has found things tougher in the Championship with Stoke this year.

Since the start of September, he has played only 37 club minutes, which in turn has hampered his international prospects.

Born in Northern Ireland but raised in England, Donley represented both at youth level and it was viewed as a real coup when O’Neill convinced him to turn out in a green jersey at senior level in March. Yet Monday represented his first start since that initial international window with the squad.

O’Neill thinks Donley has been “unlucky” not to have won more than six senior caps, but believes you can always see his Premier League quality.

“He just looks like that player that has been at a high level as a young player at a club like Tottenham all his days,” he said.

“Obviously he’s still a Tottenham player at this minute in time. He’s just got himself in a situation where his loan has not gone as well as he’d hoped.

“That’s happened to many players. Many players have gone through that situation where the loan is not always a success, but they learn from that as well. He’s only 20 years of age, so he’s got it all ahead of him.”

Such has been Donley’s struggle for regular football this season that he dropped back down to the Northern Ireland Under-21s as recently as last month.

Yet, on the most recent evidence, he is now in pole position to start what will be the country’s biggest game in at least five years come the play-off in March.

O’Neill hopes the “situation resolves itself” in the coming months, while Donley believes his international progress can aid his club prospects – in turn helping his chances of holding on to Northern Ireland’s number nine jersey.

“I think I need to be playing at my club to have any chance of playing in March because Michael speaks a lot about that,” he said.

“I think [the Luxembourg showing] would have helped me if someone from Stoke was watching and seeing that I’ve got a bit of quality. I’ll go back and see what happens.

Speaking before the final international window of the year, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill described the number nine jersey as one position where he was “still searching for an option”.

Almost three years since his return to the job, and four months before a World Cup play-off semi-final, the former Stoke City boss’ selections have given the impression that, if he is set on 10 of his first-choice XI, centre-forward remains the place where he is most open to persuasion.

After adding that he “would love someone to really step up”, on Monday night against Luxembourg it was the turn of Tottenham Hotspur attacker Jamie Donley to press his claim as the third different player to lead the line in as many games.

With the winning goal from the penalty spot, and an earlier effort chalked off for an offside, the 20-year-old – currently on loan at Stoke – certainly made the most compelling case of any player to date for an extended run in the position.

Indeed, O’Neill felt Donley was the “best player on the pitch” in what was a dead-rubber qualifier for next summer’s World Cup in North America.

“I wanted to see him as a nine,” continued the manager after Northern Ireland finished their Group A campaign with nine points from six games and in third place behind Germany and Slovakia.

“Look, there’s no secret that the nine is a problem position for us. I think Jamie has different attributes maybe from some of the other strikers.

More used to playing in a deeper position, Donley may not have the physicality of a more orthodox number nine but, quite aside from putting the ball in the net on two occasions, he was a willing runner in the channels too.

“You’re the last line of attack,” Donley said of the main difference between playing up front compared to as a number 10.

“Normally I’m behind the striker. I know I’ve always got someone behind me, but it’s more about running and stretching the game.

“I think I can add that to my game definitely because I don’t think I do enough of that. Michael says that to me a lot about running in behind because the team needs that sometimes.”

Should Donley develop his skills in leading the line, there is no doubt his playmaking ability from deep would still be an asset too.

There is no better example than England and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, a player Donley previously trained with at Spurs.

“He helped me a lot when he was around,” said Donley of Tottenham’s record goalscorer who moved to Germany in August 2024.

Kane’s goalscoring feats came only after a number of frustrating loan spells away from Tottenham earlier in his career with Donley presently enduring similar struggles.

Having impressed at Leyton Orient last season, and made his international debut while with the Brisbane Road club, he has found things tougher in the Championship with Stoke this year.

Since the start of September, he has played only 37 club minutes, which in turn has hampered his international prospects.

Born in Northern Ireland but raised in England, Donley represented both at youth level and it was viewed as a real coup when O’Neill convinced him to turn out in a green jersey at senior level in March. Yet Monday represented his first start since that initial international window with the squad.

O’Neill thinks Donley has been “unlucky” not to have won more than six senior caps, but believes you can always see his Premier League quality.

“He just looks like that player that has been at a high level as a young player at a club like Tottenham all his days,” he said.

“Obviously he’s still a Tottenham player at this minute in time. He’s just got himself in a situation where his loan has not gone as well as he’d hoped.

“That’s happened to many players. Many players have gone through that situation where the loan is not always a success, but they learn from that as well. He’s only 20 years of age, so he’s got it all ahead of him.”

Such has been Donley’s struggle for regular football this season that he dropped back down to the Northern Ireland Under-21s as recently as last month.

Yet, on the most recent evidence, he is now in pole position to start what will be the country’s biggest game in at least five years come the play-off in March.

O’Neill hopes the “situation resolves itself” in the coming months, while Donley believes his international progress can aid his club prospects – in turn helping his chances of holding on to Northern Ireland’s number nine jersey.

“I think I need to be playing at my club to have any chance of playing in March because Michael speaks a lot about that,” he said.

“I think [the Luxembourg showing] would have helped me if someone from Stoke was watching and seeing that I’ve got a bit of quality. I’ll go back and see what happens.

FPL fires up again this week after the third international break of the season.

We now have a clear run of games until March, including a congested festive period, so this is a good point to take stock, with almost a third of the season gone.

What have we learned so far? What’s the best way to approach the game this season? And how can you get ahead of your mini-league rivals in the next few weeks?

Your first Triple Captain Chip has to be used in between now and Gameweek 19. So, let’s look at the best Gameweek to use it.

We can’t look past Manchester City’s Erling Haaland for the triple captaincy in my opinion. He’s been superior to everyone else so far this season and doesn’t look like slowing down.

I no longer have mine (used on Haaland for his 16-pointer at home to Burnley).

However, if I still had my Triple Captain I’d use it in Gameweek 13 when Haaland faces a struggling Leeds side. This is his most favourable fixture from now until Gameweek 19.

Despite losing five out of the past six Premier League matches, Liverpool are a team that are increasingly on the radar.

Their performances are improving – victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid for example.

And they have a great run of fixtures where they play Forest, Leeds, Wolves and Sunderland, all at home, and West Ham and Leeds away. No team has a better set of fixtures until the end of December.

However, the key question is who do we pick?

Mohamed Salah has improved recently, but without captaincy doesn’t look to be worth the price at £14.2m.

Strikers Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike look to be sharing minutes when both are fit. Same is true for Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz as the left-sided forwards.

For me the viable options are:

Dominik Szoboszlai (£6.6m), who has proved himself to be assured for minutes and this season has taken over most set-piece duties. My worry remains his open-play threat, with no shot in the box in the past four gameweeks.

I have this very dilemma! Many fantasy managers have always earmarked gameweek 12 as a key window, with fixture swings for Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.

A bold move would be to play the wildcard in a position of strength, to fit Haaland and Salah into the same team. It can be used any time up to the gameweek 19 deadline.

Bear in mind that all managers will be topped up to five free transfers before gameweek 16, and the Africa Cup of Nations, so make sure you use up any free transfers up to this point. That’s the optimal strategy.

Haaland is a set and forget for the vast majority of teams, so to really benefit from the Manchester City attack scoring lots of goals, many would love to be able to bring in a second attacker, but rotation is a massive concern.

With City’s busy schedule, the infamous ‘Pep Roulette’ is already in full force and predicting the four spots behind Haaland isn’t easy.

Jeremy Doku and Phi Foden feel most safe at the moment and, assuming they start there is only two spots remaining from the following six players meaning the following are all a swerve in FPL: Bernardo Silva, Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki, Oscar Bobb, Savinho and early-season favourite Tijjani Reijnders.

At £8m, Foden doesn’t come cheap but the affordable Doku £6.4m will be popular this week off the back of an impressive display against Liverpool.

In previous seasons it’s been simple, we’d pick defenders with some attacking threat who play for solid defensive teams.

Now, with defensive contribution points (defcon), there’s more to consider – and it has made centre-backs much more viable options.

In previous seasons, it was all about those attacking full-backs – such as Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool.

Now we can consider centre-backs with the likes of Marcos Senesi, Joachim Andersen, James Tarkowski and Nordi Mukiele regularly racking up defcon. To highlight this, the top 17 defenders for defcon this season are all centre-backs (Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell in 18th place is the highest first full-back).

However, we cannot ignore attacking full-backs such as Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Daniel Munoz who are flying high in the overall points – thanks mainly to clean sheets and attacking returns (and less so defcon points).

So remember, while defcon are significant this season – they aren’t the only or most important route to points for defenders.

I’d rather an Arsenal defender such as Timber, with no defcon this season, over the likes of Tarkowski or Andersen, for example.

The rule changes introduced this season which reward defenders with defcon for various defensive actions make defensive players’ scores less reliant solely on clean sheets, which can be unpredictable.

So far only Haaland, Antoine Semenyo and Declan Rice have more than 60 points this season, from midfielders and forward.

Four defenders have already hit this mark.

Another 10 have achieved over 50 points already – that’s over 4.5 points per match. When considering many of these defenders cost £4.5-6m, this is incredible value on offer.

I am therefore strongly considering a switch to a primarily four at the back formation. I like the fact that with four to five viable starting defenders, I can rotate them based on weekly fixture difficulty to maximize clean sheet potential while still having coverage if a player has a tough match-up.

Yes, it means you miss out on some cheap enablers in midfielder or attack such as Thiago (Brentford), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham), Elliot Anderson (Forest) or Yankuba Minteh (Brighton).

To me a £6m defender or two £5m defenders in a rotation can match, if not better, the output the attackers can produce this year.

Your total number of free transfers will be topped up to a maximum of five before gameweek 16, to help managers deal with players heading to the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). However, to get all five you need to ensure you go in to gameweek 15 having used all your free transfers up.

With so many transfers, taking short-term punts could be more of an option and while we should be wary of owning too many players going to Afcon, players like Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo and Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr are still very good buys that you could have in your team for the next five gameweeks or more.

Some Afcon players will be released to their national sides before gameweek 16, but it is likely most won’t fly out until after Gameweek 16.

In some cases we could even see our Afcon players feature in gameweek 17 and Manchester United are reportedly in discussions with Cameroon to allow Mbeumo to play against Aston Villa on Sunday 21 December, one day after the start of the tournament but three days before Cameroon’s opener.

Defensive midfielders are infiltrating the current FPL template, with Arsenal’s Rice and Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo both over 20% owned.

Only Bournemouth’s Semenyo has scored more fantasy points among midfielders this season.

Defcon points have definitely had an impact here, with Caicedo hitting the bonus on five occasions. Crucially, midfielders with multiple routes to points are the big successes, especially those who carry goal threat or set-piece responsibility.

Rice is on free-kicks and corners for the Gunners, with a leading six goal involvements this season. At Sunderland, Granit Xhaka takes corners and free-kicks too, netting one goal and three assists while Nottingham Forest’s Anderson leads the way for defensive contributions in this campaign, and took their most recent penalty.