It’s confirmed: Italy must leave the Six Nations

With the autumn international moneyspinners over for another year, what did we learn?

The first is that the gulf between the Tier One nations and the rest is as wide as ever, as was illustrated by the embarrassing mismatch that saw the rusty hammer the 14-104.

Whoever thought it was a wizard wheeze to schedule that game needs to think again – even as a warm-up, what possible purpose is served by a team losing by such a margin? Despite this salutary lesson, it was announced during the week that the US is in pole position to host the RWC in 2031 – let's hope that by then they have a team that can at least be vaguely credible on the pitch.

We had it confirmed that the standard of refereeing across the globe is distinctly variable. Referees get better by consistently officiating in properly competitive rugby, which is why the ones stand out from the rest. That said, the conduct of some coaches towards refs is deplorable and it's time to take a proper stand on this. Dave Rennie received a written warning from about his comments on the Scottish ref Mike Adamson and the TMO Marius Jonker.

Exposed: are hammered by understrength All Blacks

Of course, Rennie subsequently apologised, but as most of us heard from our mothers when we were little, sorry doesn't always make it better!

World Rugby needs to take a tougher line when coaches lose the plot – big fines and suspensions would go a long way to sorting things out.

Just as coaches need to tighten up their act, there needs to be a proper clampdown on players: captains only to talk to the ref, and they must do it in a respectful manner at a time of the referee's choosing. This goes absolutely to the heart of what makes rugby great and we jeopardise it at our peril.

Finally, we had it confirmed that the is a flawed concept, as it has been from the moment Italy was added. The Italians were hammered by an understrength , lost comprehensively to the Pumas who are still a fair bit below the best, and then managed their first win in a while when seeing off Uruguay who are ranked four places below them in the World Rugby rankings.

Italy must go, and we must revert to a Five Nations run over five weekends, with each team having two home and away games. The calendar would be improved at a stroke, and the quality would be better – an elite competition needs elite teams, not cannon fodder.

On Thursday the SARU and Rassie Erasmus withdrew their appeals against the findings of the World Rugby disciplinary process, and the governing body declared the matter closed – how convenient!

What happened in the eight days since the verdict was handed down to provoke such a sudden change of heart?

We may never know, but both the SARU and Erasmus must be on probation for the foreseeable future. As recently as last weekend their physio, Rene Naylor, ran onto the field while the Boks were hammering away at 's defence, something that is unacceptable under Law 6 – there were no injured players in need of attention. If are serious about reforming themselves, she should have been disciplined, and in any event World Rugby should have had a word.

Both the SARU and Erasmus will be judged on their actions, not on his cursory apology to Nic Berry and their acceptance of the fine and bans. The authorities need to ensure they are held to account should they not fall into line with the way the rest of the rugby world works. World Rugby may consider the matter closed, but it isn't, not by a long chalk.