Ciarán Frawley’s last-gasp drop goal sealed a stunning win for Ireland in Durban, ensuring South Africa had failed to win a series against Ireland for the first time. It was the latest thrilling instalment of the global game’s leading rivalry at present and Ireland have now won two of their last three against the Springboks. Add in the 2022 series win in New Zealand and Ireland’s ability to pick up away victories in the southern hemisphere sets them apart from their European rivals.
“A very complicated week,” was the captain Baptiste Serin’s somewhat understated assessment of the build-up to France’s defeat by Argentina in the second Test. First Melvyn Jaminet was sent home in disgrace after a video surfaced on social media in which he made racist remarks. Then two players, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou , were charged with the aggravated rape of a woman.