A few short weeks later, Duncan Hodge dashed England’s grand slam dreams at Murrayfield; the writhing, fickle serpent that is the Six Nations can, and will, bite all.
The average margin of victory in last year’s tournament was lower than ever before; this competition might just be getting better.
Rugby’s greatest championship has proved more competitive than ever over the last few years – who will triumph as the modern-day gladiators step back into the amphitheatre?
Then, Scotland began as reigning champions but found their nose bloodied and eye blackened by the new boys as Italy announced their arrival.
Gone are the days of stuffy stiff-collared shirts at private members’ clubs in west London, giving way to a more appropriate setting for these modern-day gladiators.
