Ireland are preparing for November clashes with the All-Blacks, Argentina and Japan.
Ireland second-row James Ryan believes New Zealand and South Africa are the benchmark for the rest of the world right now.
Andy Farrell's side take on the All-Blacks next month and will tour down under for a three test series next summer.
Before that there's tests against Japan and Argentina in November in front of a packed Aviva Stadium.
Ryan says Ireland will have a fair idea of their place in the pecking order come next summer:
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