The national side face into a hectic few weeks that will test their progress.

The parallels between Mikel Arteta's rejuvenated Gunners and Graham Rowntree's project are striking. 

The demise of a club with such a rich tradition shows English rugby is facing a watershed moment

The decision of French referee Mathieu Raynal to penalise Wallaby out-half Bernard Foley for time-wasting when Australia were protecting a three-point lead against the All Blacks represented the last straw

What we experienced down under over the last three weeks was true rugby theatre. Ireland must now use that experience to rise to even higher levels. It’s been riveting.

A series win would mark the most significant achievement by an Irish rugby side, dating back to the foundation of the IRFU in 1874. It really is that big.

In some ways it made the Irish victory all the sweeter even if we know there’s going to be a serious reaction from within the All Blacks camp

With the lessons from Auckland fully absorbed, we’re about to find out if this Irish side is as good as we like to think it is.

Despite playing some excellent rugby, Ireland found themselves 23 points in arrears as they trudged off the pitch at half-time. No team in the world could recover from that position, in Eden Park of all places.

With Tadhg Beirne short of game time and Iain Henderson out of commission, the time has come for James Ryan to lead the charge against the massively experienced All Black locking partnership of Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick