With the November Internationals on the horizon, now is a crucial time to determine where respective World Cup contenders are a year out from the tournament.
As far as former Welsh international Sam Warburton is concerned, there is one clear team standing out in the northern hemisphere; Ireland. Warburton was forced into an early retirement earlier this year and has since transitioned into media work. He recently appeared for a lengthy and fascinating two-part interview with The Times and eventually talk turned to Joe Schmidt's side.
"Ireland, in my opinion, are definitely the best northern hemisphere team at the moment. I know that might make a few Welsh people disappointed but if you just look at the stats. I know first-hand how hard it is to win the Six Nations. They have done that twice in a row. No one has done it three times in a row."
"You could see them, as they stand now they are going to be favourites to win it next year. They went out to Australia and beat them 2-1 in a series which is such a hard thing to do."
The former Welsh captain was a familiar opponent against Ireland and admitted they were the toughest opposition he had faced.
I would play against these teams, I don't get impressed when I watch teams. I think 'well I am going to play them eventually and I can beat them' but now that I am on the other side of the fence I can just watch it for what it is. They are so impressive. If I am being perfectly honest, the toughest Six Nations games I have played recently have been against Ireland.
They are just so good at... this sounds basic to say, but it is much easier said than done. They are so good at keeping the ball. People think 'obviously, that is the game.' It is a lot harder to keep the ball against an international defence. Players and coaches trained to get the ball back off you.
'They are very well organised and looking the strongest northern hemisphere team to fly that flag at the World Cup.'
Warburton's praise fixates on a fundamental aspect of Joe Schmidt's management. Possession is nine-tenths of the law and Ireland are masters at controlling it. A lynchpin in that is Conor Murray, who Ireland will likely have to cope without this month.
The first game sees Ireland play Italy in Chicago on Saturday before they take on Argentina in Dublin a week later.
Warburton discussed Ireland in part one, but the full interview is well worth your time and can be found here.
