SIX NATIONS WEEK 1 REVIEW: IRELAND v ENGLAND

Out with it ... England's finest performance in living memory, YES, better than beating New Zealand in 2012 (at home, NZ on tour). England on Saturday beat (probably) the best team in the world at full strength at home, scoring 4 tries in the process. Their physicality, intensity, accuracy and defence were simply awesome. Phew... well done Jones, Mitchell and coaching team, your game plan was masterful! And YES I got my prediction wrong like every other neutral fan or commentator - Ireland by 10 points - come on?!?

How many Irishmen would make the England team?

Stuart Barnes thinks Ireland (like all top professionals) are so well coached, that when England went off script and didn't allow them the time or space they are used to, they could not adapt. If you remember, Scotland beat Ireland at Murrayfield, first game up two years ago, by going off script, scoring three tries in first half, so wrecking the Irish Grand Slam dream. The difference again on Saturday, was that England played what's in front of them all game, and their execution was breathtaking - Owen Farrell's pass for the first try taking out three defenders, Henry Slade's flat, quick pass to May, before touching down the kick, Nowell's pressure on Stockdale for Daly's try, etc

Not sure Stockdale actually had the ball, but all history now

Add to that, superb individual performances by every member of the English pack, making 48 offensive tackles in all, constantly stopping Ireland from getting over the gainline. There were heroes all over the park, from Mako Vunipola (25 tackles), Mark Wilson (27 tackles), to Tom Curry (a man possessed) and Billy (Vunipola) who is well and truly back, sucking in defenders like fly paper. So, England return home next weekend to play France, who will present a different physical challenge up front, and, if they repeat their first half Welsh performance, could push them all the way.

Where do Ireland go from here? Can you imagine them losing two games in a row, so missing out on both the Grand Slam and Six Nations Championship. They have a few injuries up front, where they would expect to dominate the Scots, and deny the likes of Russell, Hogg and Jones quick ball, but have enormous strength of depth in every position, so not feeling too sorry for them. Scotland, however, have the opportunity to take a big mental step forward by beating a top 4 side, and gaining a psychological edge over their World group opponents.

Will Scotland try another cheeky lineout like 2 years ago?

Two more great Six Nations contests to savour in 6 days time - who said this tournament is a phoney war and only results in Japan matter?