Grand slam and then the world? Fun for Ireland may just be beginning

R are indeed is the Six Nations championship that has everyone purring after just 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 the French in Dublin on Saturday. Shamrock-and-roll is rugby’s modern soundtrack, with even bigger stadium gigs still to come.

Much has already been written about the well-stocked pool of Irish schools talent and artful player management that help Ireland turn up on big occasions looking half a yard fitter and fresher than their opposition. What is even more striking is how visibly individuals are improving. Hugo Keenan, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris could well be the best players in their positions in the world while Finlay Bealham, Tom O’Toole, Ross Byrne and Craig Casey are starting to underline their squad’s increasing strength in depth.

Success, in other words, breeds success. Which is why a grand slam already seems to be theirs to lose. Beyond that? Well, their World Cup record is famously rubbish – they have never made it past the quarter-finals – and their half of the draw also contains France, South Africa, New Zealand and Scotland. Only two of those six teams can make the semi-finals. Suddenly, though, that is probably Ireland and one other, which will be giving this autumn’s