Sonny Bill is set to be the centre of attention from here until Rugby World Cup 2011 © Getty Images

The stage is set for a feast of international rugby over the next few weeks with the world's best set to go head-to-head across Europe and to accompany the latest inter-hemisphere battles we can offer the first instalment of our new series - 10 things you need to know...

1. Sonny Bill Williams is the real deal. Much of the rugby union press have been slow on the uptake as far as the former league international is concerned. His performances for Toulon passed many of them by but certainly made an impression on us. His star continued to rise on his return to New Zealand and he is primed to become the sport's biggest name.

2. Wayne Barnes and Nigel Owens will underline their class as two of the best referees in the game. At this time it appears they the northern hemisphere's best chance of gracing the Eden Park turf come October 23, 2011. On the subject of officials - you can also expect Steve Walsh to make a headline or two.

3. England manager Martin Johnson is not going anywhere. The former World Cup-winning skipper could suffer another horrendous November but his position is safe. Two wins is the widely-reported target but the Rugby Football Union have already nailed their colours to the mast so even a schooling at the hands of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa and failure to fire against Samoa will not prompt a re-think. Good job too as changing your coach less than a year to a World Cup is a recipe for disaster.

4. Sky Sports will continue to ignore any international they do not have the rights for. Sadly, as far as they are concerned the pointless Anglo-Welsh Cup (yawn) warrants a higher profile than any non-England Test clash. It doesn't even matter if it is the easy-on-the-eye Georgie Thompson telling me about the tin pot competition - it is laughable.

5. Unions will continue to hammer fans in the pocket. A chill wind will blow through the northern hemisphere in the next few weeks and it's not just the onset of autumn. Empty seats means less revenue and mild panic. The Irish and Welsh Rugby Unions have already admitted ticket sales are down but the Rugby Football Union continues to live in a different league - RFU Wine Club anyone? Anyone?

6. Springboks coach Peter De Villiers cannot be muzzled. A dressing down from the South African rugby union and a change of media advisor in the reassuring form of communication chief Andy Colquhoun may ensure he tones it down a litte but when the lights come on he knows it is time to perform. And a misfiring team could crank up the pressure on the gaff-prone boss. You have been warned.

7. One swallow does not make a summer and one southern hemisphere scalp does not a World Cup-winner make. The long-standing gulf in class between the two hemisphere will still be in place come a month's time. The Six Nations must raise their game to a consistent level of excellence before they can share the stage with the Tri-Nations giants.

8. The weather will not save Europe's finest from a lesson or two. New Zealand and Australia raised the bar during this year's Tri-Nations and a disappointing South Africa were not that far behind. As much as some northern hemisphere sides claim such a fast-paced game isn't Test rugby - it is. Just not the sort they can handle. A verbal volley or even a wet and windy welcome is not going to stop the likes of the All Blacks and Wallabies trying to put pace on the ball and unless they can adapt it will be a case of damage limitation.

9. Richie McCaw will stand like a colossus above everyone else. Many of the world's leading coaches were hoping the latest law interpretations would rob Captain Tackles of some of his powers but the classy and intelligent openside has ridden out the wave of change and continues to exert the kind of influence - on the game and referees - that has made him arguably the best player the game has ever seen.

10. Certain folk will continue to gripe about the haka and continue their merry crusade to rid the sport of one of its finest moments of theatre. Their argument that it provides a psychological advantage is of course true, but it should also fire up opposing teams. I'm waiting with baited breath for an article calling for Samoa's siva tau to be banned. Oh right - they're not trampling all over the north are they? So they can carry on regardless...