Six Nations rivals must react quickly to soaring Ireland after Marseille mauling

Andy Farrell’s side are favourites to retain title after beating France, but England and Scotland have home games to build momentum

MARSEILLE MOUNTAIN: Ireland’s Joe McCarthy on the surge as France strum half with Maxine Locu tries to impede.

THE Six Nations championship is supposed to be a marathon not a sprint. That is not currently how it feels, however, after an opening weekend which has already produced one runaway title favourite. If this was the Cheltenham Gold Cup many would already be putting down their binoculars and preparing to roar home a classic Irish winner with the rest of the field still way out in the country.

Nothing can ever be entirely certain on sport’s fast-spinning wheel of fate but no one present in Rome or Cardiff will be rushing to back any of the supposed rivals to Andy Farrell’s proactive team. France were way off the pace in the first half in Marseille and the two other contests did little to suggest the remaining four nations are yet at the required level. Whichever way you shake it, it now looks distinctly like Ireland’s year.