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Two weeks in is always a good time to judge the prospects of the countries who compete in rugby's northern hemisphere's premier tournament.
Whilst it may not have the class of the Tri-Nations it does provide a very competitive environment to test which country has the potential to do well in a future World Cup.
Ireland, on the back of last year's grand slam, would have been very optimistic going into Saturday's game in Paris. A modest performance at home to Italy in the first week could be put down to a few cobwebs but this game against France was to be a true test of their longer-term ambitions.
The French, though, are going through changes themselves and as ever they strive for consistency to match their brilliance. If they can achieve this balance then every nation in the world will fear them - well, perhaps maybe not the All Blacks, but they fear no one, except themselves.
The early exchanges were equally balanced but it was the home side that gradually exerted the required pressure to put themselves in front and by half time the shell-shocked Irish were 17-3 down after tries from Servat and Jauzion. The men in green battled hard in the second half but never really recovered and the 33-10 scoreline did not flatter the hosts.
Losing is one thing but being soundly beaten like this opens up self doubt and the Irish will be suffering this week trying to assess where they went wrong. Whilst coach Declan Murphy was suggesting that he would not get 'overly depressed when we lose a match like this' it cannot bode well for a country that has more lofty ambitions than just winning the Six Nations. I am sure there would have been a national enquiry should any of New Zealand, South Africa or Australia lose a game in this manner.
Meanwhile, Wales were trying to get their tournament back on track after losing to England the previous week and at half-time against Scotland they must have been wondering where their season was heading when they were 18-9 down at half time. Things did not improve and with 14 minutes remaining the score was 24-14 in the Scots favour.
Occasionally, though, sport throws up the unexpected and with the passion of the Welsh fans behind them they managed to draw themselves level with seconds left on the clock. Remarkably, the Scots gave away posession from the kick-off and Wales produced some outstanding handling to draw near the Scottish line and eventually find a way for Shane Williams to cross over for an extraordinary turnaround.
It is usual to say that it is a privilege to be involved in such a game but looking at the Scottish players and, in particular, the storming off of coach Andy Robinson there may have been quite a few men in Blue who disagree with this concept. It's two straight losses for the Scots and with an away fixture to Italy to come it is becoming crucial they find some form before picking up another Wooden Spoon.
Wales, though, are going through their own problems and unless they improve it will be a tough assignment for them to beat France a week on Friday in Cardiff. Like the French, Wales are capable of some sublime rugby but they will have to produce to save themselves from a humiliating defeat. France will be very confident and it is difficult to see past a comfortable Gallic victory.
And, so to England and their quest to gain some sort of momentum under Martin Johnson and unfortunately whilst victory in Rome was secured it was another turgid display and one that offers only a glimmer of hope in terms of competing with the best.
The 17-12 win was hard fought but again lacked any semblance of a cutting-edge and until they find a way of moving the ball quicker they will always be vulnerable to a world class defence.
Johnson blamed the close margin on England's ability to take their chances but the problems are more deep rooted than this. Of course, they have improved from the shocking displays of the past two years but on the surface it appears they just do not have enough quality players to play the kind of rugby required in the modern era.
A game against Ireland at Twickenham will give a much better assessment of where Johnson's team is and if they play like they did on Sunday then they might be in for a long afternoon.
England, though, are nothing if not resilient and they have a habit of winning games they should not - look no further than the last World Cup - but any aspirations of lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy again are very much in the distance.
The Six Nations are well underway and it is France who is looking like the side to beat and they are clear favourites not just to win the Championship but also the Grand Slam.
