By Jonathon Moore BBC Sport Online

Was 2002 the year the tables finally turned on the southern hemisphere nations?

The question is one that will remain unanswered until the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

But after England's impressive wins over the 'big three' and France and Ireland's victories over South Africa and Australia, a European team is surely closer than ever to lifting rugby union's golden trophy for the first time in history.

International rugby

Six Nations France claim Grand Slam Tri-Nations All Blacks finish on top Autumn internationals Ireland 18-9 Australia England 31-28 NZ Scotland 21-6 S Africa England 32-31 Australia England 53-3 South Africa

England coach Clive Woodward can be justifiably delighted at the progress his side has made.

In the past 12 months, England have scored 868 points and conceded just 286.

They end the year as the world's number one team and have extended their unbeaten run at Twickenham to 18 matches.

They are also the first European side to defeat New Zealand, Australia and South Africa on consecutive weekends.

In wing James Simpson-Daniel, hooker Steve Thompson and flanker Lewis Moody, England have unearthed players capable of taking them to World Cup glory.

If that is to be achieved, however, Woodward's first job must be to win the Grand Slam - something easier said than done for a side that last enjoyed an unbeaten Six Nations run in 1995.

Had France not pipped them 20-15 in Paris, England would have ended the year without a blemish.

But that is not the Six Nations way.

Domestic rugby

European Cup Leicester 15-9 Munster Parker Pen Shield Pontypridd 22-25 Sale Zurich Premiership Leicester take title again Powergen Cup L Irish 38-7 Northampton Celtic League Leinster 24-20 Munster Welsh-Scottish League Cardiff 25-28 Llanelli

The tournament, which continues to capture the public's imagination, threw up a number of fiery matches - notably France's hard-fought 37-33 victory in Cardiff.

The French wobble was then quickly forgotten as they humbled England and Scotland, before demolishing Ireland 44-5 in Paris.

It capped another remarkable Six Nations year, but for club coaches the season had just begun.

Leicester, bidding for a record fourth domestic league title, also hoped to become the first team to defend the Heineken Cup.

And for Dean Richards' men the campaign went exactly to plan, even if Neil Back's 'hand of god' threatened to mar the Tigers' achievements in the European final against Munster.

In the Parker Pen Shield, Sale managed to claim a tight victory over Pontypridd and London Irish capped a remarkable year by demolishing Northampton in the Powergen Cup final.

Around the world

Super 12 Crusaders 31-13 ACT NPC Waikato 28-40 Auckland Currie Cup Lions 7-31 Bulls

One month later, the Crusaders became the first team to claim a 100% success rate in the Super 12, setting the tone for New Zealand's Tri-Nations victory in Durban in August.

The result set up a tantalising 'battle of the hemispheres' November international between France and the All Blacks - a game that ironically ended 20-all.

The rugby-loving public will now have to wait another year for the outcome to be decided.

But here on in, all roads lead to Australia.