So, who were the real standout stars from another enthralling weekend of Six Nations action?
France and Ireland enter the final round of the tournament vying for the title — but each had to survive searching tests as Wales and England respectively pushed them to the limit.
As such, a number of Welsh and English make our team of the week for round four.
Indeed, the XV contains players from every country — including Italy, who went down to as 36th straight Six Nations loss when they were defeated by Scotland.
Here's our pick of the best from the action just witnessed...
15. Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
The Irish full-back had an exceptional game against England, proving up to the job of defusing the countless bombs the hosts sent his way.
Keenan also scored a try after picking an unstoppable line and, according to the official figures, made 117 metres from his 18 carries.
Up against the highly rated Freddie Steward, he played with swagger and claimed a notable victory in the battle of the full-backs.
14. Monty Ioane (Italy)
Every time Ioane had the ball against Scotland, the Rome crowd buzzed with expectation, and every time the Italy wing responded positively.
He’s a player who would grace any team in this championship and shone for the Azzurri.
On Saturday, he beat eight defenders, using his pace and elusive skills.
Alex Cuthbert always looked to get on the ball for Wales, as did Darcy Graham for the Scots, while Andrew Conway put in two 50:22s for Ireland against England.
But Ioane was a cut above, even in defeat.
13. Joe Marchant (England)
Stayed strong amid English adversity at Twickenham. The men in white played virtually the whole game with 14 men but were level at 15-15 in the 71st minute.
Marchant came up with an interception, two turnovers and some solid tackling. His was a rock-solid effort.
12. Jonathan Danty (France)
Came up with the match-sealing turnover that secured France victory after being taken to the limit by Wales in Cardiff. The squat centre has the build of Ram Man from the Masters of the Universe cartoon series and he kept springing back at Wales no matter how many times he was knocked back.
He'd pilfered ball earlier, too, as well running with force and defending with purpose. He’s having a superb tournament.
11. James Lowe (Ireland)
If Jack Nowell played well for England, and he did, then Lowe was better again for Ireland at Twickenham. The Leinster player scored a try, looked for work and made 209 metres with ball in hand — that’s more than some wings have managed during the entire championship.
He proved a handful the whole game.
10. Dan Biggar (Wales)
The Welsh skipper wins the vote on account of a wonderful kicking display that so nearly helped Wales secure a shock win over France. He pretty much went through the A to Z of how to boot a rugby ball, with at least one of his kicks setting up a try-scoring opportunity which Wales failed to take.
His game management was masterly for much of the game. One match shy of 100 Tests for Wales, he is playing some of his best rugby.
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9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
No Antoine Dupont? No, because Wales largely closed down the threat of World Rugby's reigning player of the year.
The three top-performing No. 9s over the weekend were Ali Price, Jamison Gibson-Park and Conor Murray. Italy’s Callum Braley had his moments in attack but in defence he could benefit from some one-to-one tuition from Shaun Edwards.
Price scored a try and didn’t stop probing as he won his 50th cap for Scotland, while Murray closed out the game with exquisite game-control as Ireland beat England.
But Gibson-Park edges them . He always seemed to think a split-second quicker than his opponents, highlighted when he set up Hugo Keenan’s try. If there were a Lions squad picked tomorrow, he’d be in it.
1. Ellis Genge (England)
Gareth Thomas had a good game for Wales, ensuring the over-sized Uini Atonio lasted just 40 minutes. Thomas made 17 metres with his carrying, which is 17 metres more than Wales’ starting props made against England. There were also 11 tackles, including one dominant hit.
But the outstanding effort in this position came from Genge, who embodied 14-man England’s spirit against Ireland, with the white-shirted No. 1 forcing a series of scrum penalties out of Tadhg Furlong. For the avoidance of doubt, that doesn’t happen often.
Genge also defended manfully and found time to carry. If he’s played better at Test level, we should be told about it.
2. Julien Marchand (France)
Some good efforts here, from Jamie George and Ryan Elias, in particular, while Dewi Lake continues to make big progress.
But Friday’s official man-of-the-match Marchand was the standout with his ability at the breakdown. He did a lot of huge work for his side and packed a presence with ball in hand.
3. Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
Tadhg Furlong’s scrum misfire in London rules him out of contention and Uini Atonio didn’t rip up any trees for France.
The best two No. 3s were Tomas Francis, who didn’t budge an inch in the Welsh scrum, and Zander Fagerson, who did well for the Scots against Italy, bettering the highly rated Danilo Fischetti.
Fagerson’s work in the loose just swings the verdict his way, with the big man relishing the chance to run with ball and also coming up with a clean defensive sheet.
4. Maro Itoje (England)
England’s main lineout target and a 24-carat nuisance to play against.
If he isn’t hindering the opposition at the breakdown or messing up their lineout, he’s putting in tackles with the zeal of a flanker or joining moves with ball in hand.
Any side that faces England first have to find a way of subduing Itoje.
It isn’t easy.
5. Will Rowlands (Wales)
One of the players of Wales’ Six Nations so far, Rowlands backed up his strong effort against England with arguably an even better show against France.
He has a big engine and didn’t stop on Friday evening, winning his head-to-head with Cameron Woki.
Rowland made 51 metres going forward and didn’t let anything past in defence, with all nine hits successfully completed.
A nod to France's Paul Willemse, as well. He was to the fore against Wales.
6. Courtney Lawes (England)
The England captain rolled up his sleeves and led from the front after seeing Charlie Ewels sent off after just 82 seconds. There was power in every one of Lawes’ 16 hits against Ireland, while he also carried strongly and claimed good lineout ball for his team.
7. Hamish Watson (Scotland)
It hasn’t yet reached the stage when Hamish Watson misses a tackle in the Six Nations as infrequently as Halley’s Comet pays us a visit, but give it time.
Saturday against Italy saw him return another clean sheet: 18 hits attempted, every one nailed.
He hasn’t let an opponent through in the competition since Scotland’s clash with England in 2019, succeeding with 198 tackles in a row since then.
It’s 44 more than anyone else has managed consecutively in the history of the Six Nations.
France's Lionel Nallet, since you ask.
Scottish rugby’s pinball wizard also banged in 10 carries for 72 metres against Italy.
His was an excellent display.
8. Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Another Six Nations weekend, another imperious display from Faletau.
Any No. 8 in the world would have signed off his performances over the last two games.
England international Freddie Burns led the plaudits by posting on Twitter: “This ain’t breaking news or anything new but Taulupe Faletau just plays on a different level.”
The Wales player’s ball-carrying yielded more than a hundred metres against France and he shut up shop in defence. Caelan Doris did well for Ireland, but Faletau was a man apart.
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