Ireland now genuine world Cup contenders

They stand shoulder to shoulder with the All Blacks this morning — win for win, try for try, point for point. Ireland’s golden autumn now promises more, much more than a successful defence of the Six Nations title in the New Year.

Three thunderous weeks as condensed into a tabulated form provides further confirmation of how Europe’s ambitious champions have changed the global landscape and why they occupy territory for so long monopolised by the Big Three.

Based on this month’s unforgettable deeds alone, Ireland stand higher still — a revelation which ought to give Joe Schmidt another tonic in his recovery from a post-match appendix operation.