Ross Byrne en route pour le Top 14

Sure, they were two good sides who timed their WC runs brilliantly, and know how to do so better than all the opposition, but they were very limited teams (again, credit to them for making the Final of course) with very very game plans.

It's now swapped, NZ and SA are the teams playing football and Ireland and France are the limited teams (again, doesn't mean theyre poor, I think it makes them even more level/even now).

England hardly had a show in NZ, they where well beaten. The blew their WC chances by not relying on Ford to kick them to victory, but I still argue they are a better team for having thrown that style of rugby in the archives this season. Englands progress through the 6N is greatly overplayed. I watched all their games back to back and they only made very small gains. People don't give Wales, Scotland, and Italy enough credit, nor realise how less effective Ireland was without they sideways backline play, or France without Dupont.

So what's not fair about only suggesting the All Blacks will win one of the Ireland or France games?

I predict the spectacular display of toy ejection will begin at the final whistle in Twickenham. No Fozzie to blame this time.

NZ supporters do need taking down a peg or three.

On paper this, on paper that. On paper, France got knocked out in a QF at a home WC. Doesn't tell the full story, does it? On paper, France lost to Argentina. On paper, France is 4th in the world. On paper, NZ beat England twice this year, one more time than France. That was without Frizell or Mounga or Roigard, and Mounga is the best 10 in the world right now, followed by Russell, then Marcus Smith, then Ntamack.

I would agree that the hardest match may well be France, because although they might get a win in Dublin a heavy physical toll will be taken.

If NZ lose to Ireland then they have little chance in Paris. France always believe they are better than Ireland and if Ireland win, France will want to win by more. In 2021, when Ireland won in Dublin, France pulverized them. France fell asleep and let NZ back in before pulling away again. But if Ireland show the way by beating them, then they are in serious trouble. My gut is also that France have regrouped with a real focus on Nations Cup 2026, and Australia 2027. We will see.

Loads of talent coming through for Ireland but you're right ,NZ will turn up and win the three games, just like the good old days, sure its the All Blacks?

Seriously, dying to see the 4th best team in the world turn up like the heroes they are and demolish all before them! Or else maybe we'll get a bit of realism and humility after this series (Razor seems a realist) and the significance of the 2022 Ireland series loss will finally sink in.