NOVEMBER BRINGS us a torrent of Internationals, at a time when rugby as a sport is in the most urgent need of a lift as two of the greatest rugby clubs have gone to the wall. Partly because of the torrent of Internationals.
As usual for these fixtures, you have to suspend part of your judgement. At a time when rugby is about to come before the courts with its reputation as a safe sport at risk, frankly it is ludicrous for teams to be playing four top-line Tests in quick succession.
But there will also be other significance. The World Cup will shortly be knocking on our doors. The implications of the action in the next four weeks are profound; let us hope that the news is good, the rugby is excellent, the controversies are few, and that everyone comes through safely. If they do, it will be a miracle.
So what are the key issues? What would European rugby fans love to see? I’ve
