Ireland and Wales must aim for a clean sweep, while England should win two from three in autumn internationals.
Mellow and fruitful, eh? That's not been the case for any of the national coaches as the autumn series of Tests have swung into view.
The upsurge of confidence that emanated from the Lions tour to South Africa has long since dissipated. The rugby has been ho-hum, stand-out individual performances few and far between and the injury toll a constant intrusion into best-laid plans.
But as a month-long fest kicks off with two seminal encounters on Saturday, as England take on Australia at Twickenham and Wales attempt again to lay the All Blacks ghost to rest in Cardiff, one thing is clear: it's time for the European nations to front up.
For Wales and Ireland, there are no get-out clauses. Anything less than a clean sweep would rate as a disappointment. Given that Wales have not beaten the All Blacks since 1953, that obligation might seem excessive. It isn't, because if not now, it might as well be never. True, there are a few injuries in the camp, and scrum-half Mike Phillips will be particularly missed, but nothing beyond the norm.
If the Lions are to have any relevance outside their immediate sphere, there has to be spin-off into occasions such as these. The Lions managed to rattle the Springboks with a scratch (top-quality) side and minimal preparation.
Wales have three of the Lions coaches, Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley, in their ranks. These men have no reason to accept second-class status, and nor should the players they send out at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
The same will be true of Ireland when they get into action, notably against Australia and, in a rousing climax to November, South Africa: grand slam champions against world champions.
In finally delivering the goods last March after 61 years of underachievement, Ireland cannot afford to lapse now if they still reckon themselves to be genuine contenders for the World Cup two years' hence.
They have no cause to genuflect before either of the major southern hemisphere powers and have to begin with sharp purpose against the Wallabies at Croke Park on Sunday week.
Scotland, as ever, are obliged to make best use of slender resources, this time under former England coach Andy Robinson. He deserves any breaks on offer.
What then of injury-ravaged England? In fact, make that England. Ignore the injuries. England have so many players to choose from – far, far more than their opponents this Saturday – that there can be no refuge in passing inconvenience, all the more so now that manager Martin Johnson has some sort of handle on the medical welfare of his elite players.
They are rested at various times, they have designated training camps and enhanced lead-in time to Test matches.
Last week, Johnson's boss, Rob Andrew, said the England manager was safe in his job through to the 2011 World Cup. Johnson won't buy that sort of PR-speak.
On Monday night, at a dinner to celebrate Twickenham's centenary, Johnson was voted 02 Player of the Century. He won that poll not just because he lifted the Webb Ellis pot but more for the values he represented as a player: uncompromising and uncomplaining.
His team now have to be judged by the same criteria. Anything less than two victories from the games against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand must be considered a failure.
Little slack was cut for Johnson's predecessors, Brian Ashton and Andy Robinson. The same rules should apply now. Mellow? No chance.
