Ahead of next weekend's Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham, Ireland find themselves in a rather unfamiliar position.
They have been considered favourites heading to that venue in the past, but there has never been quite this much confidence that they would secure a victory in a stadium that has not always been a happy hunting for Ireland teams. Very few onlookers are expecting anything other than a convincing Irish victory, one that would put them one game away from sealing a second successive Grand Slam.
You can understand why that is the case. Whereas Andy Farrell's men have been imperious up to this point in the competition, England have failed to evolve from their decent showing at the World Cup and look like a side well off the boil at the moment.
With all of that in mind, an Irish victory seems the most likely outcome.
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Six Nations: Stephen Jones points out 'arrogance' of Ireland team
If England are to beat Ireland next weekend, it is likely that they will have to make some drastic changes to what we have seen from them so far in this Six Nations.
Stuart Barnes has suggested playing a no.8 at centre, while Stephen Jones claimed that the English abandon training altogether ahead of the fixture. Of course, Jones couldn't help but take a customary dig at the Irish team in the process.
He has been at it again over the weekend.
Writing in The Times, Stephen Jones admitted that Ireland were the best team in the world and England need to make wholesale changes for this fixture. In doing so, he was also quick to point out a brewing Irish 'arrogance'.
There will be no discussion about Ireland’s attitude. They will be merciless; they are a merciless team. All the rest of their game is subordinate to attacking the opposition up front, in the tackle and just behind the forward phases.
For me and many others, they remain at their best — and they are the best team in the world...
England cannot afford to subside lamely, or to give us a “we’ll-be-better-next-time” promise. The implications of a hammering would be horrendous. They should close their ears to the crowing Irish and to the flecks of arrogance now emerging around the team.
As we know with Stephen Jones, no compliment paid to Ireland is straightforward. As seen above, it usually comes with a backhanded element.
That extends to our players. On this occasion, he called James Lowe an 'ex-donkey' before talking about how great of a player he has become. He was also quick to mention the fact that Bundee Aki was not born in Ireland, something he was less keen to do for Samoa-born England centre Manu Tuilagi.
Manu Tuilagi is the one player with the requisite power to take England forward with a crunch and he is needed to compete against the rampaging Bundee Aki, the Kiwi-born centre now thundering along at a career high. They cannot allow Bundee to beast England.
England also have to look after the extraordinary James Lowe, the ex-donkey turned world-class wing with so much all-round talent that he could be a circus act.
Incredibly on brand.
Regardless of how they are viewed by some across the Irish Sea, there is no doubt that Ireland team will go into this game deservedly full of confidence.
A victory here could be enough to secure the Six Nations title with a week to spare, although that will not be the height of their ambitions.
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