The two undefeated teams in the Six Nations go head-to-head in Dublin in a clash of the two “best sides in the northern hemisphere.”

That is the unbiased opinion of Italian skipper Sergio Parisse, whose side has lost to both in their opening two games away from home.

The Italians are notoriously hard to break down and it was heartening to see England using the rapier to unpick the Azzurri defence, as well as the traditional English bludgeon.