Joe Schmidt’s objectives clear for November Series

Simon Lewis looks at what Ireland boss Joe Schmidt will be looking to gain from three games in November

It’s that time of year again, when the rugby world descends on Europe and throws together an annual blend of excitement and intrigue as the Southern Hemisphere goes toe to toe with its Northern cousins.

For Ireland, this November’s Guinness Series will see visits to Dublin from South Africa, Fiji and Argentina and while there will be no All Blacks or Wallabies on the menu this time around that has not dampened the anticipation with the Aviva Stadium sold-out for the Springboks and Pumas games and close to capacity for the middle date against the powerful, free-wheeling Fijians.