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When Tommy Freeman scored a last gasp try in Dublin it looked to purely be a consolation score at the end of another disappointing England showing.
When Tommy Freeman scored a last gasp try in Dublin it looked to purely be a consolation score at the end of another disappointing England showing.
However, since then Steve Borthwick's side have enjoyed a three-match win streak at Allianz Stadium to enter the final round with their tails up. The losing bonus point taken from the Aviva Stadium in their 27-22 loss - a scoreline which flattered Borthwick's men - combined with 14 points from a possible 15 has given England an outside shot of being crowned champions.
They of course require a huge favour from Scotland in Paris on Saturday night and that's after they must secure a minimum four-try win in Cardiff which they last achieved in 2001.
France in pole position
Off the back of their statement thrashing of two-time defending champions Ireland in Dublin, France are essentially one victory away from claiming the Championship for the first time since 2022 and just a second since 2010.
France will be without captain Antoine Dupont due to his ACL injury but know a bonus point win over Scotland will guarantee them the title, no matter what happens elsewhere.
That is because France currently sit one point above England in the standings and two above Ireland. As such, no other side can reach 21 competition points.
A victory even without a bonus-point is extremely likely to seal the title for France too, due to the fact Fabien Galthie's charges are 86 points better off than England before a ball is kicked in terms of points difference.
Points difference is the determining factor should sides be level in the table rather than head-to-head records. Therefore, England's round two victory over France will matter not.
Borthwick's side need a try bonus point if they are to win the title, due to Ireland playing Italy first on Saturday, and therefore likely to rack up a bonus-point win and plenty of points to move ahead of them.
But if England win with a bonus point, there is nothing Ireland can do to overtake them which is staggering considering the contrasting 12 months each team has had.
Wales could avoid Wooden Spoon without winning
Italy's refusal to take a shot at goal and deny Wales a losing bonus point at the end of round two could come back to haunt them.
Ireland are expected to win and win comfortably on Saturday, meaning if the Italians fail to get anything out of the curtain raiser, Wales require two points (a losing bonus point and scoring four tries, or a draw) against England to avoid finishing at the foot of the table for a second successive year.
Scotland look to sneak into the top three
Gregor Townsend's side possess a strong record in Paris in recent years, spoiling Les Bleus' title charge in 2021 with a Duhan van der Merwe inspired win.
They need Wales to beat England and then beat France to finish third, while the best they can hope for is second but that would require a heavy Italian favour. If Italy beat Ireland, then a four-point victory would be enough on Saturday night to finish above Ireland, but a draw would need an 11-point margin triumph or maximum points from Paris.
Then if all that happens and Wales beat England, it's second for the Scots.