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Two weekends gone, three to go, but already it appears that the Grand Slam, let alone the RBS Six Nations title, is there for England to lose after another enthralling and pundit-destroying three test matches.
First was up Scotland v Italy and many favoured the visitors after a first weekend that saw them beat France, and deservedly so, in Rome, while the Scots finished a poor second to England at Twickenham. Not so. Scotland proved that there is much to the game than beef up front, with the Flying Dutchman winger, Tim Visser, helping himself to another try, and Stuart Hogg producing the best try for the second weekend in succession as the home side ran away with it 34-10.
Then came Paris where a wounded France would surely be too good for a Wales team reeling from eight successive defeats. Wrong again. A moment of magic from Dan Biggar saw his deft chip collected by the rampaging George North to score the game's only try late on to seal a memorable 6-13 win to Wales.
And so to the main event of the weekend, yesterday's potential title-deciding clash in Dublin where Ireland, impressive winners in Cardiff the week before, met England, equally impressive in dismissing Scotland.
In appalling conditions it was England, showing a maturity way beyond their age and experience, who prevailed 6-12, thanks to four Owen Farrell penalties and remarkable displays from the likes of captain Chris Robshaw, Ben Youngs, Alex Goode and James Haskell.
With the French and Italians to come to Twickenham next, and then a final game in Cardiff, it seems England could well win a first Slam since 2003, although this could be dangerous talk judging by results so far in this weird and riddled tournament.
Wales, with a big win under their belts, may re-discover their confidence and with trips to Italy and Scotland, they could yet be going for the title themselves against England on the fifth and final weekend of the Six Nations.
France cannot play any worse, have quality players on paper and have always been the most unpredictable team of all. If they showed up at Twickenham England's Slam plans could yet end in tatters.
Ireland should be strong enough to beat Italy and Scotland, and with the French to play in Dublin, could still end their campaign with four wins and the title.
Still, on the evidence of England's last three displays now - victories over world champions New Zealand, an emphatic win over Scotland and now Ireland in Dublin for the first time in the tournament in ten years - the force is with Stuart Lancaster's men and it will be quite some shock if they fail to complete the deal next month.
