Tuesday 6 December 2016 08:21, UK
Stuart Barnes looks back on a successful autumn for the northern hemisphere and what it means for the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in 2017.
1. It has been a good autumn for the Lions. Normally the odd win against the southern hemisphere is a cause for celebration but this time around the four home nations have won eight and lost four of their matches against Rugby Championship teams.
However, before getting carried away, Argentina were at the end of a long year and South Africa are at the end of their tether. Australia played some fine rugby and while the Ireland win was notable, the English one was exceptional. But, as we all know, 2017 is not about the Wallabies.
2. Lions tour or not, the highlight of the autumn was Ireland's outstanding effort in Chicago. Having never beaten the All Blacks, this was an historic afternoon. Although New Zealand were brutal and brilliant in the rematch, there are plenty of Lions contenders who believe they can beat the All Blacks.
3. At the moment the English contingent are playing as if they can beat anybody. Warren Gatland isn't usually that pleased to see England on a winning streak but right now the fact that there is an outstanding England team for the first time since 2003 is great news for the Kiwi Lion king.
4. How does this England team compare to the 2003 vintage? Eddie Jones says the old bunch are much better and he's spot on but the 2003 team peaked in a World Cup year, whereas this side are three years away. What I will say for this group is that they have developed a capacity for making good decisions well in advance of Woodward's team. That side had to make some howling tactical errors against Wales at Wembley and Scotland in Edinburgh, errors that cost the side Grand Slams, before becoming the magnificent team that tore Ireland apart to win their first Grand Slam and then won in New Zealand and Australia ahead of lifting the Webb Ellis trophy. Let's compare the Woodward team of 2003 with the Jones version in 2019. That's when it counts.
5. Back to the Lions....the next tranche of coaches is announced in Ireland on Wednesday. Steve Borthwick will guarantee a good line out, Andy Farrell an aggressive defence but will Rob Howley add the edge in attack? Gatland, Farrell and Howley all worked together in Australia but while continuity counts with the Lions, this is an altogether tougher assignment. Lovely bloke, great scrum-half but has Howley shown enough originality to lead the Lions attack?
6. A scrum coach, a kicking coach and a strategic analyst of the Lions opponents would be at the top of my list for further coaching appointments some way down the line. Joe Schmidt in the analytical role would cause a few concerns down under.
7. Schmidt's men produced the 80 minutes of the year but Eddie Jones' England completed an astonishing year with 13 straight victories after the dreadful events in the World Cup. The RFU made a few bad appointments regarding the head coach; Jones is not one of them. He has regenerated English rugby and turned them into the second best team in the world. Ireland produced a game we have yet to see from England but the sheer depth, determination and know how marks England as the leading title contenders to knock the All Blacks off their perch.
8. England and Ireland are the clear pick of the best teams in Europe but that doesn't mean the final match of the Six Nations will be a Grand Slam decider. The Six Nations doesn't work like that. Too often it is claustrophobic, too often fear of failure eclipses the more positive determination to perform and win. Jones made the point this week. He wants a more positive England to the one that won the Grand Slam but Wales will be lying in wait in Cardiff to make their season and potentially break England's run. And who knows, France might grace the tournament after years of mediocrity. Scotland have shown potential this autumn but it's hard to see them beating England at Twickenham....
9. This weekend it is back to Europe. I am in Belfast and Coventry for some pre-Christmas crackers. Ulster, having lost in Bordeaux, have to beat the fabulous flatterers from France, Clermont Auvergne, at home. It will be an incredible atmosphere; it could be a colossal clash. The next day Wasps are at home to Connacht. The Pro 12 champions need a point, Wasps the win before the Galway rematch. I am looking forward to seeing Nathan Hughes after his fine effort last Saturday. Pat Lam may not be looking forward to seeing this barnstorming ball carrier at quite such close quarters.
10. If there's an individual battle to make the mouth water, it has to be Ben Youngs coming face to face with Conor Murray when Leicester meets Munster. The Irishman is in pole position for the Lions scrum-half Test spot but the Tiger is on top of his game and will see this match as a first opportunity to convince Gatland that he is a contender for the tour and the first test in Auckland.
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