Rare indeed is the Six Nations championship that has everyone purring after two rounds. If the organisers could rewind the clock they might have preferred Ireland v France as the tournament’s grand finale, but, in some ways, a round-two classic has worked a treat. Quite apart from lifting neutrals out of their seats it has also raised the bar quality-wise for everyone else.
Given it is a Rugby World Cup year, it feels like the fun is only just beginning. Particularly if you are Irish. If there has been a more gloriously complete Six (or Five) Nations performance by an Ireland side it was hard to recall as they blasted past France in Dublin on Saturday. Shamrock-and-roll is rugby’s modern soundtrack, with even bigger stadium gigs still to come.