Biggest Winners and Losers in World Rugby for Weekend of December 18-20

The European Rugby Champions Cup was once again at centre stage this weekend, which saw Wasps, Toulon and Ulster do their pool bids the world of good with some very valuable victories.

This week's biggest winners and losers focuses more on matters away from the pitch, however, as a certain Irish outcast looks to make his return to his native land and Eddie Jones' England staff takes one step closer to completion.

There's also an intriguing plot developing between Glasgow Warriors' latest sensation and the Australian outfit attempting to lure him back to Super Rugby.

Read on for all that and more in this week's biggest winners and losers.

Winner: Ian McKinley

It's well known in certain circles that Ireland have a potentially elite talent waiting in the wings called Ian McKinley—a player prevented from playing in Ireland due to eyewear sanctions.

That could be in the process of changing, however, after ESPN Scrum reported the Irish Rugby Football Union are testing a line of protective goggles for use in the sport, which would be permitted for use if passed.

McKinley lost his sight in one eye in 2010, and after a short-lived retirement, he made the return to the pitch and now plays fly-half with Italian team Zebre, showing he's already of Pro12-quality.

Former Leinster prospect McKinley already uses the Raleri goggles being put through their paces, but the provinces may perk up their ears should the playmaker suddenly be eligible to play on home soil—goggles or none.

Loser: Leinster

They didn't succumb without a fight, but Leinster were dumped out of the Champions Cup on Saturday after suffering their fourth consecutive defeat in the tournament, losing 16-20 at the hands of Toulon.

Dublin's RDS cast a glum mood as Leinster's winless Champions Cup campaign endured, with the Irish province now seemingly destined to finish at the bottom of Pool Five, also known as the Pool of Death.

It's an annual tradition of the contest that elite teams fall out at this stage, but even with the apparent slump among Ireland's giants of late, the realisation of Leinster's early exit is a strange reality to accept.

Winner: Eddie Jones

TOM HEVEZI/Associated Press

After a back-and-forth cat-and-mouse game, England coach Jones has finally got his man after the RFU confirmed it had reached an agreement to take Steve Borthwick from his post at Bristol.

The former international will come in and take over as forwards coach, per ESPN Scrum, just as he did for a time under Jones during their time together with Japan.

Borthwick was already appointed to the position last week, but Bristol put up a strong front over the recruitment of their coach only to finally agree his departure this weekend.

If their success with Japan's national team is anything to go by, Jones and Borthwick teaming up again may only bear more fruit for the coaching duo.

Loser: Waratahs

Rob Griffith/Associated Press

It's been a very strange year for Taqele Naiyaravoro—the Fiji-born Australian winger now playing his trade with Pro12 giants Glasgow Warriors.

There was confusion toward the end of the 2015 Super Rugby campaign as to whether the 24-year-old would honour his contract at Scotstoun at all, but now that he's arrived, the question has changed to whether he'll remain.

It's been suggested the Waratahs will look to bring their former prospect back to New South Wales as early as 2016, but Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend put rumours to bed, per BBC Sport: "He's contracted to us," said Townsend. "There's always speculation, but we're delighted with him being with us."

The Warriors can only hope the matter remains that simple.

Winner: Elliot Daly

There perhaps isn't an English player in existence right now creating quite as much of a fuss as Wasps centre Elliot Daly, who was again in flash form for his side during Saturday's 36-10 win over Pool Five opponents Bath.

And it's hardly surprising to hear coach Dai Young leap to the defence of his star once again in the wake of that display, this time highlighting the "bread and butter" substance play that Daly's handling, per ESPN Scrum:

"

Elliot just gets better and better. We all know he can do the flashy bits and we all know he is exceptional, but he is doing the bread and butter stuff as well. He is doing the simple things really well, then he is adding icing on the cake with some of his special play.

I thought he was fantastic in defence today and his kicking out of hand was really good. For me he is a cert in the England squad. There is a lot of competition for the actual starting XV, but he is a certainty in the squad, I believe.

"

Young may have something of a biased opinion, but then he won't be the only one thinking such high praise of Daly.