While last week's loss to England was a huge disappointment, it is expected that Ireland will still be crowned Six Nations champions when they take on Scotland on Saturday afternoon.
Andy Farrell's side have a brilliant record against the Scots in recent times, with the visitors' last victory in Dublin coming all the way back in 2010. They will be big favourites to win this match on home soil.
Of course, they might not have to win this match to claim the championship.
Due to three bonus point victories earlier in the competition, a losing bonus point this weekend will be enough to ensure that Ireland will be crowned Six Nations championship.
Some have now questioned the system that has led to this scenario.
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English journalist questions use of bonus points in Six Nations
Bonus points have been part of the Six Nations since 2017, being introduced in order to encourage a more attacking brand of rugby in the competition. In seasons before that, teams were awarded two points for a victory with no other bonus points available.
It has largely been deemed a success, although some are wondering if they are fit for purpose after they have left Ireland with one hand on the trophy heading into the final weekend of the championship.
Writing in The Guardian, journalist Michael Aylwin questioned if bonus points should be used in the Six Nations due to the fact that Ireland are already so close to winning the championship despite the fact they have lost a game.
If [Scotland] beat Ireland by more than 38 points and deny them a bonus point, they will be champions, assuming England do not beat France with a bonus point, or France beat England by even more.
In the real world of what actually will happen, Ireland are all but certain to collect the main trophy. A bonus point in defeat would do it, unless England beat France by about 80 points. Even defeat without a bonus point would probably do.
All this talk of bonus points highlights just how inappropriate the scheme is for a short home-or-away tournament such as the Six Nations. Without bonus points, “Super Saturday” would be far more super than it is going to be.
True, Ireland’s massive points difference (plus 80) would serve as an effective bonus point, but they and England should be sitting level on points with three wins apiece, with Scotland and France on two.
Instead, Ireland have been all but champions since round three.
This seems like a strange argument.
Ireland are only in this position because they secured three wins and three try bonus points to kick off the championship. If another team managed to do so, Andy Farrell's men would not be in such a dominant spot.
Putting aside the fact that it has favoured Ireland this year, most rugby fans would agree that bonus points have been a welcome addition to the Six Nations.
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