Rugby is at a crossroads of its own making

Ireland v New Zealand will be the highlight of autumn friendlies. But might it be the last hurrah?

Jordi Murphy on the way to a key win over New Zealand in November 2016Getty

At 7pm next Saturday at the Aviva stadium, a match that the whole rugby world has been anticipating all year will kick off. Uniquely with less than a year to go before the next World Cup in Japan, the top two teams in world rankings will meet, New Zealand versus Ireland. If the seedings and indeed the bookies odds work out as predicted, Saturday will be a rehearsal for the World Cup final ...