Strap yourself in for exhilaration, excitement, anxiety, and trepidation

The old Broadway tune, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish” was evidently not concerned with the high-octane intensity of the first 15 minutes of a typical match in the Six Nations.

At this top table of international rugby, which will see defending champions Ireland welcome the 2016 and 17 title winners to Dublin for a hugely anticipated showdown this afternoon, the song’s message that the end point of any journey is not necessarily dependent on the first few steps would cut no ice with Rory Best, Joe Schmidt or Eddie Jones.