Three Six Nations takeaways: Could Ireland win the title?

HAND OFF: Ireland's Jack Crowley fends off the George Ford tackle at Twickenham. Pic: Billy Stickland, Inpho

Let’s not get too giddy. As good as this Twickenham rout of England was, two rounds of the championship remain and France are still on course for a Grand Slam following Sunday's 33-8 victory against Italy in Lille.

Les Bleus face Scotland in Edinburgh next following this fallow week before the visit of England to Stade de France while Ireland play out their campaign on home soil against winless but improving Wales on Friday week and then Scotland eight days later.

That puts the Triple Crown in play but if the fight shown by the Welsh against the Scots in their narrow loss on Saturday is any guide, there is still plenty of scope for upsets in this 2026 championship.

And after the opening-round loss to France, an Irish Triple Crown would be no small feat.

A New-Look Ireland Takes Shape

James Lowe’s groin injury aside, the Ireland squad is in rude health heading into the fallow week with a chance to regroup after their big win over England.

Bundee Aki is available once more following suspension but Ireland have made progress in his absence for the first three rounds with Stuart McCloskey emerging as first-choice inside centre.

Andy Farrell packed his Twickenham side with experience but even aged 32, McCloskey has fewer Test miles on the clock.

With wings Rob Baloucoune and Tommy O’Brien, who replaced Lowe, taking their opportunities with standout performances, there have been notable green shoots from a host of players previously on the fringes.

Jack Crowley’s assured performance at fly-half was not perfect but it has surely earned him the right to close out the championship at number 10 and while the scrum has been a weak link, tighthead Thomas Clarkson’s Test exposure has been invaluable.

Throw in Jamie Osborne's comfort at full-back in the absence of Hugo Keenan and strong performances from rookie forwards Cormac Izuchukwu and Edwin Edogbo against Italy in round two, and this campaign represents a significant transition towards the next generation that should continue during Ireland’s World Cup preparations over the next 18 months.

Whither Ireland’s pathways?

Ireland head into the Six Nations fallow week with an open training session at Aviva Stadium this Thursday the squads next public appearance.

A joint session with an impressive Ireland Under-20s squad fresh from their big win over their English counterparts in Bath last Friday is scheduled and those present will witness two squads which have rebounded spectacularly from heavy opening weekend defeats in France.

Those, along with a chastening loss for an understrength Ireland XV against England A, led to bouts of existential dread from pundits and supporters about Irish rugby’s future. Andy Farrell was only too delighted to shoot those down on Saturday.

"Some inspiration,” he said of the U20s. “We were told that the pathways are dead two weeks ago. But some great young kids there.

"Some front-row boys coming through there that's going to do us proud in the coming years."