Grand Slam quest - the focal point

Another Grand Slam bid by the New Zealand All Blacks is the focal point of the November internationals and with new coaches and new faces among the home nations there is a rare freshness in the autumn air.

The All Blacks swept the board in 2005 for their second slam and arrive, as they did three years ago, as the Tri-Nations champions. However, with a midweek match against European champions Munster thrown in, they face Scotland, Ireland, Wales and then England on consecutive Saturdays.

After warming up with a 19-14 comeback victory over Australia in Hong Kong last week, flyhalf Daniel Carter said: "It is always a tough challenge to go for the Grand Slam and often you have to grind out wins, which we have done on a couple of occasions now.

"We were a bit rusty but hopefully as the tour goes on we will get better every week."

The finale against England on Nov. 29 could be a classic, as new manager Martin Johnson will then have three games under his belt against the Pacific Islands, Australia and world champions South Africa.

Johnson has named a young and exciting back division for today's opener against the Islanders as he looks to rediscover the dominance England once held over the southern hemisphere sides when he was captain.

Currently behind the big three and Argentina in the world rankings, a good November for England is also key in their bid to climb back into the top four to earn a better seeding for the Dec. 1 draw for the 2011 World Cup.

Ireland, who have slipped to eighth, will also be anxious to find some form under new coach Declan Kidney, who took over from Eddie O'Sullivan after leading Munster to their Heineken Cup triumph.

Ireland, still stinging from their dire World Cup, kick off against Canada before playing the All Blacks and Argentina.

Six Nations champions Wales start against South Africa while Scotland seek an unlikely first win against New Zealand before taking on the Springboks and Canada.

France coach Mark Lievremont seems to have taken a steadier approach to his autumn challenge with only one new cap, back Maxime Medard, in the team to face the Pumas.

France then face the Pacific Islanders and Australia, who will also play Italy.