Like Scotland, Ireland also enjoyed an unbeaten autumn, opening up with a Ronan O'Gara-inspired 18-9 success against world champions Australia.

Fiji were ruthlessly beaten - Bath's under-rated centre Kevin Maggs scoring three tries - then Ireland gained revenge for their World Cup play-off defeat against Argentina three years ago by defeating the Pumas 16-7.

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan can feel pleased with continued improvement, the ease at which centre Brian O'Driscoll slotted in as captain due to Keith Wood's neck injury, and Victor Costello's re-emergence as a class international back-row forward.

Ireland (beat Australia 18-9, November 9, Dublin): Dempsey; Horgan, O'Driscoll (capt), Maggs, Hickie; O'Gara, Stringer; Corrigan, Byrne, Hayes, Longwell, O'Kelly, Costello, Gleeson, Foley.

Scorers: Penalties - O'Gara (6).

Ireland (beat Fiji 64-17, November 17, Dublin): Murphy; Horgan, O'Driscoll (capt), Maggs, Bishop; Humphreys, Easterby; Horan, Sheahan, Hayes, Cullen, O'Kelly, Quinlan, Dawson, Foley.

Scorers: Tries - Maggs (3), Murphy (2), O'Driscoll, Bishop, Dawson, Foley; penalties - Humphreys (3); conversions - Humphreys (5).

Ireland (beat Argentina 16-7, November 23, Dublin): Dempsey; Bishop, O'Driscoll (capt), Maggs, Horgan; O'Gara, Stringer; Corrigan, Byrne, Hayes, Longwell, O'Kelly, Costello, Gleeson, Foley.

Scorers: Try - Dempsey; penalties - O'Gara (3); conversion - O'Gara.