The Autumn Internationals are nearly upon us, a chance to see how our home nations are with only two years until the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland will compete against the best that the Southern Hemisphere has to offer, each looking to show that they have improved as a side since we last saw them, and hopefully strike fear in the countries they will face in the upcoming Six Nations.
Let's start off with England.
England would probably have hoped your sterner tests than what they face in this year, with New Zealand once again escaping the chance to face the winners of the last two Six Nations. This is really the test we all want to say. Pitting the two best teams in the world against each other. Alas, we will have to wait another year.
But Argentina, Australia and, to a less extent, Samoa will provide England with the chance to further show how they have progressed under Eddie Jones, with an opportunity to move his overall England record to 23-1 if they go unbeaten.
Australia will be England's biggest competition, currently sitting third in the world rankings, but England have already beaten their enemy from down under four times whilst Wallaby Jones has been at the helm. Australia have improved massively over recent months and have put up good fights in the Bledisloe Cup against the All Blacks. England should still have enough to be them; Eddie Jones will not want to show any sign that his England side isn't up to the challenge.
Now Ireland.
Ireland arguably have the easiest set of games as they face South Africa and Fiji, as well as Argentina. Ireland are a form team at the moment, and the only team to have beaten England in the last couple of years at time of writing. Looking at these match-ups, Ireland should make easy pickings here, but it's a chance for us to see if they're able to take on the Southern Hemisphere.
If they can really take it to these teams, especially the Springboks - who have under-performed in recent years - Ireland can find themselves as a team that people will take seriously as possible World Cup winners.
Onto Scotland.
In complete contrast to Ireland's fixture list, Scotland have a much tougher set of tests, facing Samoa, Australia AND the All Blacks.
Scotland currently sit sixth in the World Rankings, higher than Wales and France, but were at fifth just earlier this year. Probably the most improved side on the international stage, Scotland will be looking to continue their good form through this autumn series, even if they do face teams sat third and first in the rankings.Scotland did, however, beat Australia during the summer 19-24, which sent a big message to every team around the world that Scotland are not just here to make up the numbers anymore. Gregor Townsend will be looking to continue the good work started by Vern Cotter. I don't think it's going to be easy for Australia or New Zealand at Murrayfield.
And now Wales.
In all honesty, this could be a long series for the Welsh. They face four teams, including the three big boys from the South Hemisphere, and haven't looked in good form for a while, even if the number of them that joined the Lions tour this summer suggests otherwise.
They finished fifth in the last Six Nations and haven't looked much better since, even if the return of Gatland might be a bit of motivation. Gatland has recently come out and said that he may have stayed with the Welsh for too long, and that he gets a loyalty bonus if he lasts until next summer. I think that statement kind of sums up the Welsh at the moment.
They don't look like the threat they once did, and will probably be looking to simply stop an onslaught from the likes of New Zealand and Australia. The last time Wales won the opening match of a Autumn International series was in 2009. Things do not bode well for the boys from the valleys.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming Autumn Internationals? Share and comment.
You can read my other blogs at ScriptEye and I Can't Write Words here.
Illustration by Clare Lewis
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