Title within touching distance but Caelan Doris braced for English battle

It almost gets forgotten that Ireland were already Six Nations champions before they claimed a famous Grand Slam victory in Twickenham in 2018.

The team produced one of their best showings under Joe Schmidt to claim the country's third ever clean sweep.

They attacked with purpose and precision – CJ Stander’s try standing out – and defended with tenacity and discipline when England tried to mount a comeback.

It played out in a blizzard of snow in front of a large Irish contingent on St Patrick's Day.

But the trophy had already been secured thanks to an Irish victory over Scotland in round 4 combined with England’s defeat to France later on the same day.

There was a series of results that could have scuppered Ireland’s championship hopes on the final day last season with France starting off just four points behind but Andy Farrell’s side eventually got the job done against 14-man England.

And after three bonus-point wins and results elsewhere, Ireland can once again claim the title with a round to spare.

Another five-point haul would mathematically secure the championship although such is their points difference (+75), any win would be a de facto title-clincher.

"It would be class. It would be unreal," said Caelan Doris about the prospect.

"We haven't spent too much about that, it's been largely about improving our performances.

"We are aware of what’s at stake and what we can but it’s about our performance. If we get that right the result will look after itself."

Standing in their way is an England side who are still finding their feet under Steve Borthwick, who has former Ireland international and double World Cup-winning assistant Springboks coach Felix Jones in the defence role.

They eked out wins over Italy and Wales before their