Because while that might seem a remote prospect – England have conceded 10 tries in three games, the same as Wales – rugby is not just about vapour trails and flying dives into the corner.
In a total of 160 minutes of rugby at home to France and England they scored one solitary try and not a single Irish supporter cared in the slightest.
Were they to lose against Les Bleus and Scotland were subsequently to triumph in Paris, however, it is not inconceivable England could sneak an improbable title with bonus‑point victories over Italy and Wales next month.
“We have won the penalty count in two of the three games in the Six Nations and in three of the four games in the autumn series.
No wonder Gregor Townsend was frustrated by some of the officiating calls against his side given England’s general lack of attacking penetration while his counterpart Steve Borthwick highlighted the increasing importance of the penalty count.
