Ireland must learn from 2007 meltdown

So where do we stand after the autumn interntionals, asks Donal Lenihan?

The November Test window tends to be revealing at the best of times but given the proximity to next year’s World Cup, the form and tactical nuances displayed by the top sides will now be open to forensic examination, not least by the heavily populated video analyst departments that are part and parcel of all front line teams.

It won’t take them very long to come to the conclusion that World Cup holders New Zealand are still far and away the leading side in the Test arena with their continual evolution opening an appreciable gap between them and the chasing pack.