Autumn International Fixtures 2013: Previewing Weekend's Key Individual Battles

This weekend brings about the true beginning of the autumn internationals, where Europe's finest defend their lines against Southern Hemisphere invaders in a test of trans-equator proportions.

The likes of England, Australia and New Zealand may all have been in action last week, but it's only now that the continent's big guns come out in force.

While there's not much aside from form, squad progress and pride on the line this month, the November internationals nonetheless bring together some of the finest talent that rugby has to offer.

Ahead of this weekend's fixtures, read on for a preview of just which individual struggles you can expect to play a big part in deciding their respective encounters.

Liam Williams vs. JP Pietersen

Fixture: Wales vs. South Africa

Some brilliant attacking form for Scarlets so far this season has seen Liam Williams return to the Welsh setup in time for this weekend's encounters, and it's a re-baptism through fire for the 22-year-old against South Africa.

However, the youngster comes back into the squad opposite another who's been missing for some time, JP Pietersen, having been absent for the Rugby Championship so that he could pursue his venture with Japan's Panasonic Wild Knights.

A lot will depend on how the 48-times capped international settles back into life among Heyneke Meyer's squad and whether or not he can establish a bond with those inside him, a conundrum Williams faces in kind.

Both wingers have a penchant for flair and are liable to entertain at the Millennium Stadium; it's just a matter of which speedster gets the crowd on its feet more often.

Brian O'Driscoll vs. George Pisi

Fixture: Ireland vs. Samoa

Having played a prominent role in Northampton Saints' 2013/14 season thus far, George Pisi will be one of the assets who Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua is relying on to lead his Samoa side to an upset at the Aviva Stadium.

However, standing in the way of that goal is the small matter of overcoming Brian O'Driscoll returning to full fitness, by no means an easy task.

Samoa have incredibly found their way above the Shamrock in the IRB rankings thanks to an admirable stretch of 2013 results but face an altogether more literal test of their strength in Dublin on Saturday.

If O'Driscoll's talents in playing the role of platform for those around him aren't good enough, Pisi will have to defend against the Irishman's own attacking threat, this time without the advantage of having Luther Burrell alongside him.

Wesley Fofana vs. Ma'a Nonu

Fixture: France vs. New Zealand

Over the summer, Ma'a Nonu helped his New Zealand side to a 3-0 series routing of France, an accomplishment he'll hope to replicate when the pair meet once again in Paris this weekend.

Over the course of the Rugby Championship, Nonu played his customary role of battering ram against the best talents of South Africa, Australia and Argentina.

However, one might argue that none of those teams hold a talent like Wesley Fofana, who will be a huge attacking risk to the All Blacks' record.

When compared physically, it should be Steve Hansen's inside centre who triumphs in this battle, but Fofana has shown himself to be wily and agile enough to beat those bigger than him in the past and faces a literally massive challenge at the Stade de France.