England went about their training yesterday with an extra spring in their already buoyant step following Scotland's shock 20-16 win over France on Sunday.
That upset, coming 24 hours after the world champions' impressive 47-13 Twickenham win over grand slam champions Wales, has tilted the championship in England's favour.
The key match is still likely to be France vs England in Paris on March 12 but French confidence will have been dealt a severe blow by Sunday's defeat and the abject performance that contributed to it.
England, in contrast, answered many of their critics with a well-rounded display of forward power and backline running that delivered six tries, four in the second half.
"Saturday was all about getting off to a winning start and I think we can now move forward," coach Andy Robinson told journalists.
"We have stepped up from the levels we set in the autumn and shown we can play in different ways."
England face Italy in Rome next Saturday when Robinson will expect even more from his backs against a team they have thrashed with regularity since they joined the championship six years ago.
Centres Jamie Noon and Mike Tindall, criticised in the run-up to last weekend, responded with their best match together. Robinson may have been tempted to experiment in that area but, with an injury doubt over fullback Josh Lewsey, may make his change there instead.
Lewsey went off with a damaged shoulder after 22 minutes against Wales. His Wasps colleague Tom Voyce, who replaced him on Saturday and scored England's final try in the last minute, is the probable replacement in the continued injury absence of another Wasps man, Mark van Gisbergen.
Robinson names his team today and, with some of the pressure off, is likely to give other squad members some opportunities, particularly on the bench.
The coach said on Saturday that the performance of his replacements was one of the most pleasing aspects of the victory.
Voyce, Lawrence Dallaglio and Matt Dawson all scored tries while Andy Goode at flyhalf and hooker Lee Mears also looked comfortable after their late introductions.