The schedule of 21 Tests over five weekends in November offers renewed evidence of the spiralling gap between Ireland and Wales. While once the IRFU recognised three autumn matches as the limit of public support, Wales insisted on four.
Now the boot, in each case, is firmly strapped to the other foot. Ireland are up to four (New Zealand Nov 8, Argentina Nov 15, Fiji Nov 23, Australia Nov 30), Wales down to three (Fiji Nov 10, Australia Nov 17, South Africa Nov 23 with a 5.40 kick off).
The fixtures may have been acclaimed by the WRU’s director of rugby Nigel Walker as ‘exciting’ but many fan...