Hansen keeps Ireland on course for grand slam with win over Scotland

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. Three forwards went down injured in the first half. Then, early in the second, Rónan Kelleher, the replacement hooker, was forced off. Turns out playing without a hooker need not be that big a deal. Then, in the last 10 minutes, they lost Garry Ringrose, off on a stretcher with a brain injury.

Scotland’s hopes of a first title since 1999 are over. They will host Italy next weekend, who are no one’s idea of a pushover these days. Win there, and a finish in the top half will likely be theirs. They are after more than that these days, but there can be no argument they just are not as good as Ireland. Who are?

This was a masterclass of belief and composure. Ireland had suffered more than enough disruption in the first half to throw off a lesser team. Scotland suffered some too – and theirs first. Richie