One year nearer the 2023 Rugby World Cup and with it there is one extra Autumn Nations Series fixture for England. In 2021 there were sequential jumps in the standard of opposition at Twickenham. Tonga were overwhelmed 69-3, an Australian side stripped of core players and lacking any real strength in depth were comfortably beaten before the show piece against South Africa. England won by a point to conclude a series of 3 wins. Nobody was too carried away. The Springboks were a shadow of their World Cup final winning selves. Still, England were scoring tries and winning games. It seemed positive before a Guinness Six Nations season of setbacks on the road, losing to Scotland and France away and Ireland at Twickenham.
By the time England travelled to Australia in the summer they were under a fair degree ofpressure. Although, the quality of the games wasn't the highest; the results were great. A series win in Australia and some major plus points in terms of personnel. If anyone doubted Ellis Genge's qualities before the tour, by the end of the 3rd Test few questioned his status as one of the most dynamic props on the planet. Jack Van Poortvliet also came through as a major success at scrum half.
Eddie Jones had the right to feel satisfied. He won the series and blooded fresh faces. Henry Arundell was the headline selection and he duly scored within what seemed seconds of making his test debut. His was the face of a brighter future.
Back in the Northern Hemisphere, England fans have plenty to be excited about in November. For a start the fixtures themselves are a fabulous, fascinating set of contrasts. First up are their major pool opponents in the World Cup, Argentina and Japan. Then the traditional `Big Two', New Zealand and South Africa.
Winning, as Eddie Jones is right to emphasise, isn't everything. It's important in November, it's even more important come the Guinness Six Nations and it's everything a year or so from now in France. But with Argentina in the same pool, England will not want to allow Argentina to prevail at Twickenham. They are dangerous opponents, as their wins against Australia and a first ever win on New Zealand soil illustrated this summer. The South Americans would love a second victory at Twickenham to boost their confidence ahead of next year.
As for Japan, they play some of the sharpest and smartest rugby in the world but still are prone to being beaten up front. This is a game where England might not give away anything too clever in attack, but a reminder of the power the England pack can punch will go down well.
So much for November's first two weekends. England will seek to impose their superiority against two rugby nations who can be a joy to watch. As for the All Blacks, even though they won the Rugby Championship, the sense of vulnerability is yet to leave them.
In Will Jordan they possess the most elegant back three player in the world but it's whether Jordie Barrett is chosen at inside centre and his brother, Beauden at full back that could decide whether New Zealand can shape and control games as they once did with regularity. There are many question marks surrounding Ian Foster and his team.
Style is less important than results for the Kiwis. For the Springboks, there is a hole at half back and Number 8 where once they dominated. Faf is in Japan and not the player he was; Handre Pollard is struggling with form and injuries while Duane Vermeulen appears a dwindling force with no one remotely in his class.
What they retain is a front five of great ferocity, with Eben Etzebeth one of the world's great lock forwards. I'd pay just to see him go toe to toe with Maro Itoje. Tom Curry against Siya Kolisi is another bruising heavyweight clash. Exciting as the forward encounter will be, watch out for the respective back threes as well. South Africa have pace and power, with bags of young potential as do England.
Behind the scrum, England must find out not only who to play behind the scrum but how they want to play. At some stage I'd like to see Owen Farrell without Smith and vice versa as well as the two of them combined.
It's the question Eddie Jones has to resolve. Can two fly halves provide sufficient options to keep defences guessing or do they need more ballast and fewer decision makers in the ten position? It's a month when he'll want to sort out a few issues without showing his hand. It may take until France at home in the Guinness Six Nations for England to reveal something close to their full pack of cards. As for this Autumn, winning isn't the be all and end all but Jones has rightly questioned the transitional status of the Southern Hemisphere teams. He has identified New Zealand and South Africa as being behind England with France ahead of all comers.
How England play still edges the question of who they pick. There are a core of settled front five forwards for the World Cup. In the back row, Jack Willis and his terrific turnover technique can make a move up the pecking order. Behind the scrum, there is the eternal question of youth or experience. Ben Youngs is a great favourite of the manager, but Van Poortvliet is currently ahead of him as England's current 9.
Last year it was Raffi Quirke who scored against South Africa and caught everyone's eye. He's another to watch as is Tuilagi, his Sale teammate. It's not just about him staying fit; we need to see his explosiveness, missing so far this season.
It really is the most intriguing November I can remember. The Northern Hemisphere has a great chance to impose itself as favourite for the World Cup.
It wouldn't surprise me if England won all 4 games although, if forced, I'd fear New Zealand finding something special, even if it is one-off at Twickenham. Expect excitement, entertainment and improvement from England.
A limited stock of hospitality packages for the Autumn Nations Series is still available. To guarantee your place at Twickenham for the matches against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa, please click here.