After brawls, drama and excitement, an initially controversial tour cemented Australia's place on the Lions southern hemisphere agenda.
England lock Ollie Chessum will return to Leicester Tigers' starting XV on Sunday as his side host Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership.
England captain Maro Itoje will return to captain a Saracens side containing four of his international team-mates during the Guinness Six Nations when they host Harlequins in the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday.
There were positives again for England in Dublin and the talent is there but familiar failings suggest lessons are not being learned.
It was the French who caught the eye in round one with six of their eight teams winning, including Stade Rochelais and Toulon away from home.
This weekend’s return of the Gallagher Premiership following a five-week hibernation was given its banner headline on Wednesday when Joe Marler confirmed he will retire from playing with immediate effect following Friday night’s Harlequins match at home to Bristol.
The very same English administrators who sacked Eddie Jones are facing the dubious prospect of potentially seeing the Australian swagger back into the joint and inflict what could be the mortal blow to Borthwick’s reign.
The schedule kicks off on Saturday in London with Steve Borthwick’s England hosting the All Blacks just 16 weeks after the New Zealanders closed out a 2-0 series victory with a 24-17 win in Auckland.
The Rugby World Cup is nothing if not a wild, raucous and surprising tournament on the field - and that absolutely applies to what some of the players and coaches let slip at press conferences off the pitch.
Having spent 2019/20 in the Championship, Newcastle boss Dean Richards believes talk of Saracens walking the league is dangerous ground.