Autumn Nations Series Review: Northern Hemisphere

As the Autumn Nations Series concludes, we take a closer look at how some of the Northern Hemisphere teams fared during this demanding schedule.

England: Desperately Unlucky

There were many positives for England throughout the series. Fans and coach Steve Borthwick would have been pleased with much of their play, but the team struggled to close out matches.

Their toughest challenge came against the Springboks, where they lost 29-20. Despite that, England showed dominance in significant parts of their games against the Wallabies and All Blacks, only to suffer narrow and heartbreaking defeats. While frustrating, these performances offer hope ahead of the 2025 Six Nations.

Most Valuable Player: Several players impressed, including rising star Chandler Cunningham-South and veteran Maro Itoje. However, the standout performer was Marcus Smith, who played with exceptional confidence throughout the series.

Ireland: Facing Challenges

For the first time this year, Ireland looked vulnerable. A loss to New Zealand and a close call against Argentina exposed cracks in their game. Their victory over Fiji offered some redemption, showcasing a more cohesive performance.

The upcoming year will test Ireland’s resilience, particularly with Andy Farrell stepping away to focus on the British and Irish Lions. Navigating the Six Nations without their head coach will be critical for their success in 2025.

Most Valuable Player: Andrew Porter remains a key player for Ireland, but during this series, Caelan Doris and Jamison Gibson-Park were particularly impactful, with Gibson-Park edging ahead in terms of quality contributions.

France: Demonstrating Depth

Fabien Galthié’s side delivered a flawless 3-out-of-3 record in this series, a bright spot in what has been an inconsistent year for Les Bleus. Following struggles in the Six Nations and a mid-year tour with an understrength squad, this campaign showcased the growing depth in French rugby.

Wins against Japan, New Zealand, and Argentina highlighted the value of their fringe players stepping up and performing under pressure.

Most Valuable Player: The rotation in the squad made it difficult to single out a standout, but Louis Bielle-Biarrey was sensational on the left wing, cementing his place as a player to watch.

Wales: Rock Bottom

Warren Gatland’s 2024 Welsh side ends the year without a single Test win, a crushing record punctuated by their heavy loss to the Springboks. It is truly a low point for Wales, but there is room to rebuild.

With a squad that still boasts quality players, the focus now shifts to hard work and a long-term plan to turn things around.

Most Valuable Player: Despite the poor results, some players showed promise. Mat Rogers on the wing has been brilliant, while Jac Morgan has been phenomenal, standing out as a beacon of hope in a struggling team.