Ireland were not at their absolute best during the victory over Wales at the weekend, but the fact that they still emerged as winners with 24 points to spare tells you everything you need to know about that rugby team at the moment.
It was expected that Andy Farrell's side would win comfortable against a Welsh team currently going through a transitional period. They certainly did so, running in 31 points and conceding just seven despite never really getting out of third gear.
It cemented their status as heavy favourites to go and win a Grand Slam over the coming weeks, with a trip to Twickenham to face a struggling England side next on their schedule.
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Rugby: Dan Biggar star says Ireland win over Wales was all too easy
Despite the fact that Ireland did not run up a massive score against Wales in the first half of Saturday's game, there never seemed any doubt that they were going to secure a comfortable victory.
Speaking on The Rugby Pod, former Welsh star Dan Biggar admitted that the fixture did not 'feel like an international match' in that opening period due to the ease with which were so much better than their opponents.
I actually thought the first half didn't feel like an international match. If felt very much like Ireland were going through their motions.
I actually though Ireland were okay on the weekend. That's probably the least impressed I've been with them in this tournament and the last 12 months. They were okay, they did enough.
What I am impressed with Ireland is that they are so, so well drilled. Every single person knows what shape they're running, what their role is, their timing.
They weren't perfect at the weekend, but they're so well drilled and have so much power in that front five in particular, they just get themselves over the gain line...
There was a big difference between the two sides on Saturday. One team is at the very top of world rugby, and Wales are in that transition period...
I've played against Ireland so many times and you feel like they just give you absolutely nothing. That means you've got to work for everything you get.
The fact that Biggar feels that this was arguably Ireland's worst rugby performance in the last 12 months tells you all about the standards this team has set for themselves during that period.
They will now be expecting to finish the job and claim a second successive Six Nations Grand Slam over the coming weeks.
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