England still have one game to go but for the rest of the home nations the autumn internationals are done. Regardless of Saturday’s Twickenham outcome it will be remembered as one of the more intriguing periods of recent times, particularly in relation to the British and Irish Lions tour next year. Suddenly there are glimmers of realistic hope where once there was only dense black nothingness.
For this Ireland, above all, deserve immense credit. As well as defeating New Zealand for the first time in 111 years they saw off Australia and South Africa as well, breathing encouraging fresh Gaelic air into the 2017 Lions series in the process. With England making progress and Scotland also improving – we will come to Wales later – Warren Gatland will privately be wondering if the impossible dream may after all be feasible.
Related: Keith Earls seals Ireland win over Australia to complete big-three sweep
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