We cannot call them champions yet, but Ireland are the best team in the world – and rarely have they looked it more. It is difficult to imagine any side facing down the setbacks they did here at Murrayfield – the home of one of the other better teams in the world – and responding quite so emphatically, indeed effortlessly.
Quibblers will point to the fact that, finally, at the fourth attempt, a team has denied them the bonus point. Actually, it was Ireland themselves who did that, Ryan Baird spilling the ball yards short of the line, and within three minutes of the final whistle, with James Lowe outside him.
Twenty points out of 20 would almost have been too much. As it is, they return to Dublin next weekend. Two points against hapless England would guarantee them the title – and the win a grand slam.
How they rode the disruption to their best-laid plans was the most impressive aspect of this comprehensive win over Scotland.