Ireland made a real statement of intent with yesterday's victory over France. The team have been in remarkable form over the last 18 months, steadily building what is now widely regarded as the best side in world rugby.
Ahead of the World Cup later this year, something feels different about this particular Ireland side. Whereas previous teams were beginning to show signs of decline in the buildup to the sport's showpiece event, this iteration seem only to be going from strength to strength.
The depth within the squad is a major component of that. Ireland were missing four starters from yesterday's game, with Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Jamison Gibson-Park, and Robbie Henshaw all unavailable.
Despite this, their deputies more than rose to the occasion against what was likely the toughest opposition they are likely to face in 2023.
Those in the international media couldn't help but come away impressed with Ireland's performance, although there were also some questionable takes doing the rounds.
Stephen Jones shares odd Ireland-France opinions
Stephen Jones has been known for making some odd comments about Ireland down through the years, with this game being no exception. He was largely impressed with the performance from Andy Farrell's side, although his match report did feature a few questionable takes.
Writing in The Times, the Welshman admitted he was blown away with the standard on show in the game. That was largely down to Ireland's showing, with Jones saying there are now on course to win a deserved Grand Slam.
In saying that, there were a couple of players in the side that he was less than complimentary about.
He believes that Peter O'Mahony is 'hanging on grimly' to his place in the side after a lacklustre performance, while he had an odd take on Caelan Doris. Arguably the best no.8 in the world on current form, Jones labelled him as an ordinary player:
He may not be a world beater, but he did play extremely well yesterday and won the man-of-the-match award.
Not so sure about that one. He would go on to label Mack Hansen as a 'trier' and say that 'Ireland probably have better in their ranks'.
Without doubt, his strangest claim came to the incident involving Utai Atonio. The French player got off lightly after a very dangerous high tackle on Rob Herring, with the Irish hooker forced off after failing a subsequent HIA.
Almost everyone who viewed the incident felt it was a clear red card, although referee Wayne Barnes somehow only produced a yellow. That was a strange enough decision, but Stephen Jones suggested he was unfortunate to even be sent to the sin bin and complimented his performance.
He was rather unlucky to be sent to the sin-bin, has got himself fit again and is now a major force up front.
The only one who was any way 'unlucky' after that incident was Rob Herring, who suffered a dangerous hit to the head.
Some strange takes.
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