Donal Lenihan: Park the title talk. Right now, I’d settle for a one-point victory in Paris

You can take it with certainty England will still bag their bonus point win at the Stadio Olimpico

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell speaks to his team prior to the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

It’s the Six Nations, but not as we know it. The first reminder that we were dealing with something incredibly different hit around lunchtime last Saturday as I approached Ballsbridge from Angelsea Road.

On big Six Nations days such as this, Paddy Cullen’s famous watering hole is overflowing with supporters from both countries, proudly displaying their colours and mingling with ease on the outside terrace.