Monday 5 February 2018 16:52, UK
England delivered a performance of accuracy and power, but they will need more to negate what Wales have shown they are capable of.
1. There have been worse weekends that have kicked-off the Six Nations and there have been better! We've had the predictability of the result in Rome, the stunning opening salvo in Cardiff, and one of the most unforgettable endings to what - poor weather or not - was an unambitious grind of a game in Paris.
I hate the way the word 'great' is so often overused. But, in this instance, no other word fits his winning effort better.
Ireland worked through 40-plus phases of possession with the pressure of knowing that one error would signal defeat on an opening day in which they were favourites to win.
Sexton was 44 metres out. It was a murky evening. He would have known the ball would not have travelled as true as on a dry day, while his non-kicking foot was on ground less secure.
So, to then make that drop goal the game's last act and in front of a packed stadium? There is much we can debate about the weekend but not its highlight.
3. If the individual glory goes to the Ireland out-half, the collective kudos goes to Wales. I fancied Wales to win against Scotland, albeit not with quite the same confidence of Warren Gatland.
They delivered a far-from-perfect performance. But for a team with a load of injuries and in a state of tactical transition, this was one hell of an effort.
If Ireland shackled their ambition, then Wales unleashed theirs. It made for a superb atmosphere and an excellent occasion in Cardiff.
The manner of the win has also got a lot of people salivating ahead of Twickenham, next Saturday.
4. England played some almost perfect attacking first-phase rugby in their win against Italy. The first two tries were things of beauty, although the passive nature of the Italian defence is unlikely to be replicated by Wales.
Last year, a few of us were lauding England's back play against Scotland. But maybe, it was just as much the poor opposition and the injury-riddled defence in which they faced.
Let's see what happens against Wales.
5. George Ford and Owen Farrell - excess time or not on the ball - were a delight to watch against Italy.
Their understanding of each other's game - and their joint role - is fast becoming a special partnership. Matthieu Jalibert previously described Farrell as 'elegant'. On Sunday, it was hard to disagree, as Farrell cut straight running lines through the Italian defence off Ford's shoulder.
6. Up front, Exeter's Sam Simmonds caught the eye, capitalising on blistering pace that saw him score two eye-catching tries.
Things will be different on Saturday, however. The Welsh back row functioned really well against Scotland. Ross Moriarty will be all the better for the run out at No 8, while Aaron Shingler continues to get better and better.
There was much debate about the selection of Josh Navidi, but the Blues' back row had a splendid game. He's physical, quick skilled and good over the breakdown.
7. In complete control with the ball in hand, England won the majority of the collisions in Rome. The breakdown was not an issue. If England stick with the back row from their opening victory, Wales will fancy their chances of winning that particular battle.
And if they manage that then they are in with a chance.
8. Italy played some decent stuff, although I sensed the two early England scores brought about a drop-off in England's intensity levels.
Ireland will look for a far better performance against the Italians. Joe Schmidt wants his men to finish sides off when they are on the ropes.
I wonder if Schmidt needs to encourage a little more fluidity and off-loading if his team are to turn the strong foundations of their game into a Grand Slam, or even a Championship?
Maybe, Joe needs to loosen up a little!
9. Gregor Townsend had no shortage of friends before Scotland travelled to Cardiff. But another defeat to an unimaginative French team and he will be looking for his true mates.
France will seek to turn the screw in the tight and keep the likes of Stuart Hogg out of the action. Like Eddie Jones, you can see why the former Glasgow manager is happy to pick players that qualify under the eligibility rules because Scotland are not producing the bulldozers required to give the team balance.
The performances of Jonny Gray and the magnificent Alun Wyn Jones summed up the gulf between great players and good ones.
This could be a fascinating game. France would like to bottle the Scottish team up and Scotland would love nothing more than to move France all over the field from the first minute to the last.
10. It was a tough afternoon for Nigel Owens in Paris. Johnny Sexton was adamant that Antoine Dupont's late injury had nothing to do with a head collision, but the official match doctor begged to differ.
Owens could not have made his feelings any clearer, saying: "If the official match says HIA, then there's nothing I can do."
We were back in the hundred-minute match territory of last season when Wales found themselves infuriated by French substitutions in the scrum.
Jalibert suffered a HIA for knee ligament injuries? Now, of course, a player can bang a knee and a head at the same time, but one suspects France are not alone in abusing the ruling that allows a player to come back onto the field if the injury is for HIA and not a routine injury.
Hence the late return to action of Maxime Machenaud, who should have been tucking into the jelly babies on the bench.
World Rugby are looking into it.
