The 2018 autumn window closes this coming weekend with Wales looking to complete a first ever clean sweep with a victory over South Africa.
It has been a compelling few weeks so far with Ireland claiming the prized scalp of New Zealand in Dublin in the battle of the world’s top two sides, while Wales have finally ended their 10-year hoodoo against the Wallabies.
There has been further signs of Scotland’s progress, although they will be disappointed to have been edged out by South Africa, while England’s autumn has been overshadowed by two contentious refereeing decisions.
With one round of matches to go, we select our team of the autumn so far and in the wake of that stunning Irish victory at the Aviva, it has a distinctly green tinge to it.
TEAM OF THE AUTUMN SO FAR
15 - Rob Kearney (Ireland)
Has been under pressure from the quick-stepping Jordan Larmour, who sizzled against the Azzurri in Chicago, but we saw the Kearney of old against the All Blacks, solid and assured on defensive duty, he was also a real threat in attack.
Stuart Hogg was back to his defence-shredding best against the Springboks after returning from an ankle injury, while we have also seen flashes of what Damian McKenzie can offer, notably in the rain at Twickenham.
14 - Teddy Thomas (France)
George North and Liam Williams have both had their try-scoring moments for Wales, as has Tommy Seymour for Scotland, but a couple of tries and some impressive assists from Teddy Thomas sees the French flyer get the nod.
Outstanding in last season’s Six Nations, Thomas is a razor-sharp attacking force, if prone to the odd error or two.
England and Ireland have so far managed to shackle the talented All Blacks duo of Ben Smith and Rieko Ioane, who have had limited opportunities. The Italians may not be as successful in Rome this weekend.
13 - Jonathan Davies (Wales)
Arguably, the best defensive centre in world rugby, Davies marshaled the Welsh backline superbly against the Wallabies, while the fit-again Scarlet also showed his attacking prowess with that trademark jackhammer hand-off and sprint to the line against Scotland.
Garry Ringrose was among Ireland’s many stellar performers in Dublin last weekend; Huw Jones has improved after a nightmarish start against Wales, while Samu Kerevi was one of Australia’s standouts in the win over Italy.
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12 - Owen Farrell (England)
Even though Farrell has played the majority of his rugby at 10 this autumn, he came on at centre to drag England out of a hole against Japan and we are naming him at 12 to play alongside his Lions team-mate Johnny Sexton.
We just can’t find a way to leave either out of this side.
Farrell is a huge influence on Eddie Jones’s England these days and just about edged Beauden Barrett in the pair’s much-anticipated Twickenham tussle.
France’s Gael Fickou impressed against Argentina on his return in Lille last weekend, while Bundee Aki has been a rock for Ireland.
11 - Jacob Stockdale (Ireland)
Went from potential villain of the piece when his chip was charged down by Kieran Read, to try-scoring hero against the All Blacks.
The 2018 Six Nations player of the tournament now has 12 tries in 14 Test appearances for his country and is showing no signs of second-season syndrome.
10 - Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
There was a debate as to whether Sexton should be omitted on the back of an average display against the Pumas, but his performance against New Zealand underlined why he is so many people’s favourite to scoop World Rugby’s player-of-the-year award next month.
Sexton’s passing was sublime, his kicking was on the money, while he also put his body on the line in defence.
A word too for Handre Pollard who has been pulling the strings effectively for the Springboks over the last three weeks.
9 - Baptiste Serin (France)
There’s been no real headline-grabbers at nine, but the Bordeaux half-back has looked lively for Les Bleus and been assured off the tee, taking his opportunity in the absence of the injured Maxime Machenaud.
Greig Laidlaw, Luke McGrath and Ben Youngs have also had some bright moments.
1 - Steven Kitshofff (South Africa)
The Boks loose-head has been a powerful scrummaging force this autumn, getting the better of Kyle Sinckler in the set-piece battle against England.
The flame-haired prop has also contributed some key turnovers and his taken his chance in the absence of the injured Beast Mtawarira.
Cian Healy continues to defy the sands of time for Ireland.
2 - Guilhem Guirado (France)
The Toulon hooker has been France’s most consistent player in recent years and the skipper has again led from the front this autumn, scoring tries against the Boks and Pumas.
It is no coincidence that Les Bleus lost direction when Guirado was off the field in their late loss to South Africa.
Skipper Stuart McInally has been strong at the heart of the Scottish pack, as has Ken Owens for Wales. Arguably, the leading hooker in the world, Malcolm Marx, has had a low-key autumn so far.
3 - Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
The best tight-head in world rugby and has been for the last couple of seasons.
The British and Irish Lion put the squeeze on the New Zealand scrum in Dublin last week, just as he had done against the Pumas a week earlier. Also produced some thunderous carries.
4 - Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
Was a towering presence in a man-of-the-match display at Twickenham, soaring to disrupt the English lineout at a crucial period of the game.
Retallick wasn’t able to hit similar heights in Dublin, making a couple of uncustomary errors, but he is the heartbeat of this All Blacks team, a multi-skilled forward who is regarded by many as the best player on the planet the moment.
5 - James Ryan (Ireland)
What a series for the 22-year-old.
It is hard to remember the Leinster lock having a poor game in a professional career that has already seen him win PRO14 and European titles as well as play a huge part in downing the world champions.
Always seems to get over the gainline, is strong in contact and after taking the man-of-the-match award against Argentina, wasn’t far away against the All Blacks. Those early comparisons with Paul O’Connell are more than justified.
Alun Wyn Jones, as he so often does, has kept the bar high as Wales captain, but Ryan has been exceptional.
6 - Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
The Munsterman’s display against the All Blacks will go down in Irish folklore. Was given the perfect 10 by the Irish Times after a performance that epitomised Ireland’s evening in Dublin.
Intensity, passion, workrate, O’Mahoney delivered on all fronts, producing a couple of crucial turnovers and one critical defensive intervention when he scrambled back to claim a chip through in the second half.
The try-scoring performance of Japan blindside Michael Leitch against England is also worthy of mention, while South African powerhouse Pieter-Steph du Toit has stood out at lock and in the back row.
7 - Justin Tipuric (Wales)
A crowded field for the seven jersey.
Sam Underhill was sensational for England against the All Blacks, Josh van der Flier a bundle of energy in Dublin last weekend, Hamish Watson has been effervescent for the Scots, while Ardie Savea was the best player for the world champions at the Aviva.
But successive man-of-the-match performances against Scotland and Australia sum up Tipuric’s contribution. Dogged in defence, he has been tenacious around the contact area and has displayed his trademark handling skills in the loose.
8 - David Pocock (Australia)
The Wallaby back-rower has been a turnover machine this autumn.
Was a constant thorn in the Welsh side in Cardiff and had another big influence at the breakdown against Italy. Michael Cheika will be hoping a neck injury doesn’t rule him out of Saturday's clash with England as the Aussies looks to finish a testing year on a high.
Pocock sneaks in ahead of Ireland's South African-born eight CJ Stander who was a man possessed against the All Blacks.
