Barring Wales’ clash with South Africa next weekend, the autumn internationals are now done and dusted and attentions can turn to the NatWest 6 Nations.
Ireland and England capped off perfect autumns with wins on Saturday, while Scotland fired a warning shot with a magnificent win over the Wallabies.
Elsewhere France were held to a dramatic draw by Japan, Italy were downed by the Springboks and Wales could not hold off the world champion All Blacks.
And after a busy weekend that also culminated in the World Rugby Awards ceremony in Monaco – we give you a full wrap of what you might have missed. SCOTLAND FLOWERING IN STYLE Gregor Townsend’s Scotland side came so close to dethroning the world champion All Blacks this autumn.
But the agony of a week ago was replaced by ecstasy on Saturday as they downed Australia in record style at BT Murrayfield.
Yes the Wallabies lost Sekope Kepu to a red card in the first half but the way Scotland ran riot will fill every fan north of Hadrian’s Wall with excitement ahead of the NatWest 6 Nations.
Byron McGuigan was called into the starting XV at the last minute after Stuart Hogg’s withdrawal and the winger crossed for two of Scotland’s eight tries in a 53-24 win.
Huw Jones looks razor sharp in midfield, Jonny Gray was his all-action self in the second row and with so many front row injuries coming into the series, Townsend and Scotland have increased their strength in depth in style. Top metre markers from NatWest 6 Nations on Saturday Sean Maitland – Scotland – 166m Elliot Daly – England – 146m Mike Brown – England – 110m Rob Kearney – Ireland – 105m Byron McGuigan – Scotland – 101m SCHMIDT’S STYLISH SERIES Ireland’s biggest game of the autumn was their opener against South Africa and they won it in style.
After that Schmidt increased his squad depth with wins over Fiji and Argentina – the likes of Bundee Aki and Jacob Stockdale look to be serious contenders in a first-choice Ireland back line now.
But it was Rob Kearney, still breaking tackles and defusing bombs at full-back, that impressed the most this weekend as they gained revenge over the Pumas. Most defenders beaten from NatWest 6 Nations on Saturday Finn Russell – Scotland – 7 Elliot Daly – England – 7 Rob Kearney – Ireland – 6 Leigh Halfpenny – Wales – 6 Sam Simmonds – England – 5 Teddy Thomas – France – 5 And already attentions have turned to 2018 and denying England a hat-trick of Championships.
“I think the Six Nations is a phenomenal tournament, and I would pay the utmost respect to it,” said Schmidt.
“The World Cup is really Jonny come lately in regard to that. The NatWest 6 Nations is our tournament.
“Scotland are really taking off at the moment. I think they have been over the last few years, really improving.
“And we know how tough England are. There’s teams in the Championship that you’re obliged to go as hard as you can, because you still need your top selection, to keep building their fluidity together. And you need to keep building confidence.” RED ROSE STILL IN BLOOM Two years almost to the day since Eddie Jones took over in charge of England, and the juggernaut is showing no signs of stopping.
After three wins from three this autumn, including a record success over Australia, Jones remains unbeaten at Twickenham since taking over.
He has won 22 from 23 Tests, has won back to back NatWest 6 Nations crowns and this autumn continued to build competition in his squad.
New faces like Sam Simmonds, Ellis Genge and Charlie Ewels all advanced their cases while his British & Irish Lions Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and Mako Vunipola were all given valuable rest at various stages in the autumn. Top carriers last Saturday in the NatWest 6 Nations Sergio Parisse – Italy – 20 carries CJ Stander – Ireland – 19 carries Sam Simmonds – England – 18 carries Taulupe Faletau – Wales – 16 carries
And after another magnificent year, Jones was again rewarded at the World Rugby awards on Sunday night in Monaco as he scoped the Coach of the Year gong.
Joy Neville, who officiated at the Women’s Rugby World Cup final, refereed a senior men’s international game and will become the first woman to officiate in a European club game, won the referee of the year award.
Other winners included All Blacks fly-half Beauden Barrett who scooped player of the year – click here for the full list.
BEST OF THE REST Wales’ autumn campaign is not yet over and a win over the Springboks next weekend would be a huge boost for Warren Gatland’s men.
They were downed last weekend by the All Blacks, and although they were in the contest for the first hour it was a familiar tale in the end as Rieko Ioane and Waisake Naholo were too hot to handle.
After losing to Australia but beating Georgia, this coming weekend is huge for Wales as they try to build momentum for the 2018 Championship.
Although the emergence of the likes of Steff Evans and Hallam Amos out wide and Josh Navidi at flanker is a cause for optimism.
Elsewhere, Guy Noves and France have much to ponder after a winless autumn was capped off by a hard-fought draw with Japan.
After two losses to the All Blacks – where they played well in parts and blooded a number of promising youngsters – they were downed by the Springboks and have work to do if they are to improve on their third-place finish in the 2017 Championship.
Italy ended their autumn with defeat in Padua against the Springboks but will take heart from their opening series victory over Fiji and the emergence of new caps like Ian McKinley and Giovanni Licata, as well as the development of centre Tommaso Castello.
