Destiny awaits.

Ireland’s path to potentially becoming the number one ranked team in the world has become clear following the conclusion of the Rugby Championship yesterday.

The All Blacks managed to avoid a second successive defeat to the Springboks thanks to a last minute try from Ardie Savea, but their loss to Rassie Erasmus’ men in Wellington may come back to haunt them next month.

That game caused them to lose two rankings points – a considerable chunk, leaving Ireland breathing down their necks after a wonderful season that saw them clean house in November, win the Six Nations and secure a series victory over Australia.

If Ireland manage to defeat the All Blacks in Dublin next month – and Steven Hansen’s men lose another game along the way, Joe Schmidt’s men will officially become the number one team for the first time in history.

Ireland have a formidable record at home, and could very well beat the All Blacks next month, but expecting them to lose two is perhaps a bit of a long shot. But stranger things have happened.

Maybe England will get their shit together and beat them in Twickenham? They have the players to do it…