With three rounds of fixtures still to come in the 2024 Six Nations, many onlookers are already viewing the championship as a foregone conclusion. Ireland have been absolutely imperious in the competition to date, with it being expected that Andy Farrell's side will go on to claim a second consecutive Grand Slam over the coming weeks.
Heading into the new year, many wondered if Ireland would experience some sort of World Cup hangover. After all, the disappointing nature of their exit from that tournament was sure to leave some lasting effects.
If that is the case, it has not shown on the pitch. Unlike France, the Irish players seem to have quickly recovered from that setback and look as effective as ever on both sides of the ball.
In fact, some see their recent form as being an ominous sign for the other teams in the Six Nations.
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Sam Waburton explains why Ireland could dominate Six Nations
Sam Warburton knows what it takes to win at the highest level, with the former Wales and Lions captain being massively impressed with what he has seen from Ireland so far in this year's Six Nations.
Writing in The Times, he identified the increase in power in the Irish side as the reason they could go on to dominate the championship for the 'next few years'.
How good have they been in this Six Nations so far? Truly outstanding.
And the next question I would ask is not whether anyone can cope with them in this tournament, but whether anyone can cope with them for the next few years...
There is something noticeably different about Ireland now, compared even with the World Cup last autumn. I have watched their two matches and one thought has consumed me throughout: they look so much more powerful than before.
In the past it has been a criticism thrown at them, and indeed Leinster, that they could be overpowered, but not now...
Everyone has upped their level of physicality, with the lock Joe McCarthy a brilliant addition, but the likes of Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Tadhg Beirne and Dan Sheehan have noticeably increased their effectiveness in contact...
This is taking them to another level, one which I don’t think any team in the Six Nations can cope with.
Ireland have certainly managed to strike a balance between power and a more sophisticated attacking approach so far in this year's Six Nations, something that has not always been the case in the past.
As Warburton points out, that is certainly bad news for the other teams in the championship.
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