Opinion divided on northern sweep

NORTHERN hemisphere rugby was revelling yesterday in the unaccustomed glory of completing a 3-0 whitewash of the Southern Hemisphere at the weekend — though opinions were divided as to the significance of the unique clean sweep a year away from the World Cup.

However, it has added fuel to the debate over whether the northerners have made up ground on the southerners on the rugby ladder, although for Ireland and France the answer was an unequivocal yes.

Brian O'Driscoll, Ireland's star centre, believed his side's first win over world champions Australia in 23 years, and first in 34 years at home, would stand them in great stead when they play them Down Under in the World Cup group stage next year.