Despite the challenges faced by England, the recent rugby season was still filled with exciting and enjoyable matches.

As I was on my usual school run, I had a surprising conversation with a fellow mom. She mentioned seeing me on TV over the weekend, covering the Ireland game. This exchange may not seem out of the ordinary in most cities, but it caught me off guard as the mom was from Germany and we were in Amsterdam. I was even more surprised when she said she watched the game and found it to be great fun. The fact that someone in Amsterdam was watching a non-headline-grabbing rugby match between Ireland and Fiji just goes to show the wide reach and appeal of the Autumn Nations Series.

This series has truly been a treat for fans of all levels. It has given us the chance to witness top-quality Test matches that were both high-quality and entertaining. Well, unless you're a Welsh fan, that is. Even then, the appreciation shown by the Principality Stadium crowd for the dominant South African team was a credit to the sport and a testament to the level of play displayed.

There has been much discussion about what this series says about the current state of each team, but the most important takeaway is that it has been an amazing month of rugby. We have been fortunate to see the best teams play against each other, something that is a rarity in international football outside of major tournaments. As a die-hard fan of the Six Nations, I will always stand by it, but having the unstoppable South Africa and resurgent New Zealand in the mix has given us a broader view of where we stand in the World Cup cycle. This, in turn, has provided us with countless stories, intrigue, and excitement.

I've always found it amusing how rugby fans and media tend to fret over the state of the game. I understand the concerns, especially in the context of recent events such as the folding of two Premiership clubs in England. However, now is the time to celebrate the excitement and entertainment that professional rugby brings. It is through this celebration that we can attract more fans and generate more revenue for the sport.

The current South African team is arguably one of the best in the history of the sport. According to former Wales center Jamie Roberts, they may even be better than the legendary All Blacks team of 2011-2015. We are also seeing a resurgent Australia, who are giving us a taste of what to expect in the anticipated 2025 British & Irish Lions tour. Scotland is building upon their strong performance in the World Cup, becoming the only home nation to defeat Australia. New Zealand is back on the rise, and Ireland's dominance has been broken, which may not be ideal for Irish fans, but it is certainly good for the sport.

France has also introduced a new star in the form of Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who has been dubbed the "electric scooter." This is just another exciting addition to a team that is already stacked with talented players. As for England, they have been keeping us all on our toes. While South Africa has managed to create a team of superstars, England is still struggling to find cohesion and consistency. The debate over the fly-half position, with players like Marcus Smith, George Ford, and Fin Smith, may be a distraction, but it also reflects the depth of talent available to them.

Despite a few close losses, England still has the potential to have a strong Six Nations and turn things around. As for Wales, there has been a lot of analysis and discussion about their struggles, and I have nothing more to add except my sympathies. With one game left in the series, a potential thriller between Ireland and Australia, let's keep the excitement going. As we head back to the Gallagher Premiership this weekend, I urge those who have been drawn in by the Autumn Nations Series to stick around. This is an opportunity for the players to showcase their form, fitness, and flair, and make a case for their selection in the upcoming Six Nations and, ultimately, the British & Irish Lions tour.

In the words of the German mom who is not a rugby fan, it should be an awful lot of fun.

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