For the most part, Ireland's November performances have been quite impressive.
Some exciting talent has been blooded including Jacob Stockdale and Bundee Aki, while three wins were secured including victories over South Africa and Argentina.
With the international curtain closing for the next couple of months, club action will supersede until the next Ireland squad is named.
But are Joe Schmidt's side in a decent place with the next Six Nations on the horizon in the Spring vis a vis their rivals? And where are they in the game's echelon two years' out from the 2019 Rugby World Cup with South Africa far from their peak, Australia beaten convincingly by Scotland and New Zealand, while still leading the way, not quite as imperious as a couple of years ago?
Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll and ex-Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan gave us their take on that.
Ireland's Bundee Aki, Chris Farrell, Andrew Conway, Rhys Ruddock, Adam Byrne, Rob Kearney and Dave Kilcoyne celebrate after the game ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
On where Ireland are at in the grand scheme of things, Brian started on the point about the All Blacks: "There's no doubt that New Zealand have been pulled back closer to the chasing group over the course of the last year, starting with Ireland beating them for the first time. You saw what Scotland did them last week in Murrayfield. They could have snatched their first victory against them; losing a game and drawing one to the Lions; not as convincing as previous showings against Wales, beaten by Australia...so all of a sudden that infallible New Zealand team I don't think quite have that title at the minute but they'll probably say 'we're in the middle of a cycle' and they used to get into a habit of peaking at this time between World Cups."
And on Ireland, he feels Schmidt's side are in a good place in that chasing pack which also includes a strong England side.
"I think we're close. I think we're close to the top. I think if we were on UK radio, we definitely wouldn't be ahead of them, on Irish radio I think we're neck and neck with England and I'm really interested to see what happens," said Brian.
"I think it's a big test for Ireland come the final Six Nations game. If both of us are in the same position in managing to win four games and there's a lot of rugby still to be played obviously but I do think an opportunity to go and win in Twickenham against that side would set down a serious marker."
Eddie also added that if Ireland were to win there, "it would be a big setback" for England, who "are not firing on all cylinders at the moment".
BOD and Eddie also discussed a Scotland side who look seriously impressive as well as a France in a difficult place and a Wales that traditionally find their form during Six Nations time rather than in November.
