Only a bizarre turn of events today will prevent Grand Slam-chasing England from clinching its first Six Nations championship since 2003.

A win for the English in Ireland will guarantee them the title and secure a clean sweep of five straight victories in the northern hemisphere competition.

Even if Martin Johnson’s side loses at Lansdowne Road, Wales - the only other team that can steal the title - would have to beat France in Paris and overturn a 42-point differential between the two fierce rivals.

“We are going into probably one of the biggest games an England team have had since that 2007 World Cup final,” winger Mark Cueto said. “These are exciting times. It is only in the last eight months we have been able to show what we can do and there is more to come from this team.”

If England do win in Dublin, they will become the fourth different team to win the Grand Slam in the last four years, after Wales, Ireland and France respectively. It would also give the team a major boost ahead of the World Cup, which starts in September.

Wales will kick off at the Stade de France after the final whistle in Ireland, so will know whether the title is up for grabs.

“We are going into the final round of the championship in second place and still with a shot at the title,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland. “That’s pleasing, but it’s not good enough yet. We need to finish the job and win in France.”

At the other end of the table, Italy will finish bottom for the fourth straight year if they lose to Scotland at Murrayfield.

However, the Azzurri’s victory over France last weekend has given them hope they can avoid last place for just the second time since joining the competition in 2000.