There will be plenty of moments from the 2018 Autumn Internationals that will live long in the memory - and based on that here’s our British & Irish Lions selection based on those performances:
Fullback: Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
To recover from injury in time for the Autumn Internationals was unexpected. Despite not being at his scintillating best, he was probably still the best fullback from the four nations.
Winger: George North (Wales)
Looked like the wing of old at the start of the autumn and looks to be reaping the rewards of his move back to Wales and the National Dual Contract that came with it. Fully fit and firing at his best, it has been a joy to watch North get back into his stride this autumn.
Centre: Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
He is developing into a wonder player at international level, and is able to form strong partnerships with whoever is inside him as we saw when Robbie Henshaw was ruled out at late notice to see Aki come in inside him.
Centre: Owen Farrell (England)
You can’t keep him down. His galvanising presence and cool goalkicking make England a really tough team to beat. He also kicks spectacularly.
Winger: Jacob Stockdale (Ireland)
Scorer of the crucial try in Ireland’s historic first home win over the All Blacks. Pace, strength and an eye for the line have now earned the Ulster wing 12 tries in 14 Tests.
Fly-half: Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
You can’t keep him down. His galvanising presence and cool goalkicking make England a really tough team to beat. He also kicks spectacularly.
Scrum-half: Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)
May be off the radar playing in France but he is back to his best as Scotland’s first-choice No 9. Has looked lively all autumn and as reliable as ever kicking for goal to lift that responsibility off half-back partner Finn Russell.
Prop: Cian Healy (Ireland)
Rolled back the years to his very best form and the sight of him leaving the field against New Zealand completely exhausted demonstrated just how much he gave to Ireland’s caused. Has ended any doubts over who the best current loosehead in Ireland is once and for all.
Hooker: Ken Owens (Wales)
The most consistent hooker throughout the autumn, both in performance and in selection. Strong showings against Australia and South Africa that both resulted in victories saw him clinch the shirt with relative ease.
Prop: Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
The world’s best tighthead still appears to be improving. A rock for Ireland against New Zealand and influential in open play as well. Should have been nominated alongside Sexton on the World Rugby shortlist.
Lock: James Ryan (Ireland)
He has rocketed to the top, rivalling Itoje as the best young lock in the game. The 22-year-old has the same athleticism and durability, as well as the same uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time.
Lock: Maro Itoje (England)
England are on the up and the resurgence of Itoje is among the reasons why. If he continues to respect the game and stays fit, he will become one of the all-time greats.
Flanker: Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
A colossus against the All Blacks and the epitome of what Ireland have become: tough, unyielding, passionate and relentless. Any team would want him on their side.
Flanker: Ellis Jenkins (Wales)
Two brilliant showings against Tonga and South Africa on either side of the back-row. His performance against the Springboks was phenomenal, with a line-break to set up Tomas Francis for a try and a try-saving tackle on Jesse Kriel, and we can only hope he makes a full recovery from the nasty knee injury he suffered at the end of the match.
Number 8: Mark Wilson (England)
Came into the autumn as an unknown quantity and leaves having put himself firmly in the frame for England’s World Cup squad. Man of the match against South Africa in only his second start and provided some much-needed ball carrying against Australia that apparently England were lacking.
