The historic international rugby year as seen through the lens

1. Ireland couldn’t stop the old enemy

Source: Kirsty Wigglesworth

2. They were Black and Bleu in France

Source: Michel Euler

3. It was success for England in the Six Nations

Source: Thibault Camus

4. Ireland’s women ended their disappointing Six Nations campaign with a convincing win over Scotland

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

5. CJ saw red in his homeland

6. But Schmidt’s men battled for a first win on South African soil

7. Argentina enjoyed a stunning victory over the Springboks

Source: Natacha Pisarenko

8. The All Blacks celebrated winning the Rugby Championship in a year they recorded the most consecutive wins by a top-tier nation

Source: Natacha Pisarenko

9. Ireland paid an emotional tribute to the late Axel Foley before the game against New Zealand in Chicago

10. History was then made!

11. But the All Blacks got their revenge in Dublin

Source: Niall Carson

12. There was joy for Conor O’Shea’s Italy against South Africa

Source: AP/Press Association Images

13. Foley knew the game was done for Australia in Dublin

14. Ton up for Best!

15. The Black Ferns brushed Ireland aside ahead of next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup

16. Unbeaten in 2016 – we’ll see you next year!

Source: Paul Harding

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