This was not the Ireland that collapsed in France earlier in 2006, nor was it the Ireland that surrendered meekly at home to the All Blacks in November 2005, nor was it the Ireland that couldn't find the fire in Cardiff in 2005. Same personnel, give or take a couple of members, but a more mature, more streetwise lot, to whom no challenge is too daunting.

Hints at what was to come were laid down by the two impressive performances in defeat against the All Blacks in June, and the win over a ragged-looking and experimental Springbok team was to be expected, even if the margin was an eyebrow-raiser, but there had been little to prepare anyone, least of all the Wallabies, for the first forty minutes of rugby at Lansdowne Road on November 19.

It was forty minutes of intensity not seen since New Zealand destroyed France in Paris two years previously. A complete physical conquest of the opposition, rounded off with two terrific tries, and all that in the type of Irish weather that Michael Fish will remember only too well. A standing ovation for a team at half-time is a rarity in rugby, but Ireland took the acclaim from all corners of the ground that day, in their penultimate appearance at the old Lansdowne Road.

The official statistics from that day told a story of 119 passes attempted and only 16 errors made, stats which the All Blacks themselves would be proud of. But the more general stat from that day - and from the November series - is also the most poignant: Ireland are collecting Southern Hemisphere scalps with confidence as the Rugby World Cup looms. Eddie O'Sullivan's long mission of developing his hard core of experienced players to take the team through all challenges is nearing completion, and the policy is paying dividends.

From John Hayes at prop right through to Geordan Murphy or Girvan Dempsey at full-back (one of quite a few positions O'Sullivan is now spoilt for choice), in every position is a household name, a player with the experience and trickery that only long service can bring. The World Cup is now only nine or so matches away, but O'Sullivan can already sit back and reflect on which of his trusted players to put in the position rather than scour the Magners League for up-and-comers who might save the day.

It's a handy position to be in, but one final test awaits before we drop a phrase into this article with the words, 'Cup', 'World', and 'contenders' arranged coherently. A Six Nations is around the corner in which Ireland can enjoy hosting England and France rather than worry about big away days, and which the Irish start by travelling to Cardiff, an arena which all Munster players remember fondly and a city where the Irish have enjoyed plenty of success. A Grand Slam is there for the taking, and if Ireland can take it, there will be thoughtful stares from the black corner.

Star of the Series: Shane Horgan is not as pretty as most modern wingers, but then his is not a pretty winger's game. Horgan has mastered the art of reading the game from wide and popping up in the middle at all sorts of judicious intervals, with his size, pace, and surprisingly deft touches causing all sorts of problems to opponents. And unlike many of the modern batch of pretty wingers, he has the size and shoulders to chop down, say, Sivivatu and Rokocoko in full flight quite easily.

By Danny Stephens