London Irish 13 - Toulon 19

An away win for Jonny and les garcon from Toulon. And pretty comfy it was, too. Jonny ruled the roost, making Ryan look more Lamb than Sheep, and the home team failing to match up to the French fire at the breakdown. As it was, they can consider a losing bonus point as the best they could hope for, Toulon having crossed their line on 3 occasions, but allowing a try to go begging.

On the eve of World Cup year...

Do the Autumn internationals offer us any useful glimpses of form ahead of World Cup year ?
As usual, the All Blacks look sublime. As usual, folk will say that they always LOOK it, but blow it in the tournament proper.
Apart from the 10 minutes or so before Lee Byrne picked out their counter attackers with a woefully misdirected kick to touch, the Welsh had the best chance of beating them. Edwards will have been more than happy with the Welsh defensive line speed, and Gatland happier with their performance in the line out. The All Blacks were down to 14. But, but, but...Captain McCaw became the focus in this moment of crisis, taking restart and line out ball like an old fashioned lock. Once they got their hands on a counter attack ball, it was all going to end one way.
This All Black team is strong under pressure, and does the basics as well as more celebrated sides of yore. They are surgical in attack. And they'll be playing at home.
Let's start practicing for 2015...