When a picture of the New Zealand coach Steve Hansen appeared on the screens at Twickenham on Saturday, quite a few of the crowd watchingEngland v Ireland made the same satirical comment: “I’ll bet he’s quaking in his boots.” The truth is that top-class sides do not fear anybody. Hansen knows that no RBS Six Nations team are good enough consistently to beat the best in the world. What he is looking for is a sign that they might become so.

After such a high-quality World Cup the expectations of rugby fans were heightened. It was hoped the Six Nations contestants would automatically absorb the lessons of the World Cup; that to beat the best teams a change of attitude and improvements in core skills and consistency were needed.

It was unrealistic to assume this would happen instantly but fans anticipated that at least ambitions would be widened, even if the technicalities would take time to perfect. It has been frustrating and depressing to see little of the anticipated advances.