Ireland yet to hit their peak, and have France to thank
In the week between Ireland's first and second ever wins against the All Blacks in New Zealand, a lot of questions were asked of Ireland.
Andy Farrell Sport News
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Andy Farrell reminds me of Jack Charlton
I have kept a close eye on Andy Farrell ever since I tried to sign him from rugby league. The job he has done with Ireland has been phenomenal and his team’s series victory in New Zealand and rise to No 1 in the world is the culmination of that. Farrell has the credentials to coach England next.
Ireland deserve No 1 spot but World Cup contenders are enticingly spread
Rugby union is not renowned as a perfect science but the symmetry of this month’s north v south contests has been striking. Four tours by Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland, four narrow 2-1 outcomes, six Test wins apiece for each hemisphere and a collective points aggregate of 280 v 282. The margins across global rugby have never been tighter.
Springboks remain 3rd in World Rugby rankings as Ireland leapfrog France
While Saturday's 30-14 win over Wales in the third Test at the Cape Town Stadium may have won them the series 2-1, the Springboks will remain in third place in the World Rugby rankings when they are released later this week.
Sexton wary of complacency as Ireland reach top of world rankings
Captain Johnny Sexton has warned Ireland against complacency ahead of next year's World Cup following a momentous series win in New Zealand.
World order shaken up after July internationals
CAPE TOWN : The winds of change have swept through international rugby in the past few weeks, with historic firsts and a potential changing of the guard at the top of the world game as northern hemisphere teams flexed their muscles down south.
All Blacks coach Foster under fire as New Zealand launch snap review of Ireland loss
Ian Foster's future as All Blacks head coach looks in doubt after New Zealand Rugby on Sunday launched an urgent review into the Ireland series defeat, which chief executive Mark Robinson deemed "not acceptable".