Rory Best hits his man at the line-out and, after a juggle, Ireland have the ball safely back to terra firma.

A bit of ping-pong in the heavens.

And Owen Farrell gives away a penalty with a rash charge into Rob Kearney after the Ireland full-back's punt downfield.

Not captain stuff that...

Image source, Getty Images

Kate Shaw: Right then. Let’s forget the last two games and smash em.

Chris H: No Grand Slam, no Six Nations win that's my opinion of this competition. Only an Ireland win today will take England's title from 2015, otherwise it's in abeyance for another year.

It has been a breathless start.

Countless phases, England shading the battle for territory. Elliot Daly drills a canny kick into the corner.

A pressure moment for Rory Best on the line-out oche...

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Grayson in situ pitchside for BBC Radio 5 live. He's even taken his gloves off. Brave, very brave.

Image source, BBC Sport

Chris H: No Grand Slam, no Six Nations win - that's my opinion of this competition. Only an Ireland win today will take England's title from 2015. Otherwise it's in abeyance for another year.

Kate Shaw: Right then. Let’s forget the last two games and smash 'em.

Simon Fallaha: Will it be freezy-peazy for our boys in green against the snow white beasts from the east? Time to find out...

CJ Stander spills forward as he crashes up short. Ironic cheers around Twickenham.

Richard Wigglesworth does not wait for the scrum, booting downfield.

A harem-scarem chase. Does Kyle Sinckler impede an Ireland chaser? Apparently not.

Johnny Sexton drops out long and Maro Itoje is safe and secure under it.

Richard Wigglesworth box-kicks back up towards halfway and, standard opening moves out the way, we are up and running.

Heisenperk: Scotland beat England by 12 points. Scotland beat Italy by 2 points. Italy > England

I'm not sure it quite works like that...

Paul Grayson
Former Lions and England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 live

What a sporting occasion this is. These Irish players can go into the history books today.

England are the underdogs at home which is unbelievable. We've not seen the white wall in this year's Six Nations. They need to show the leadership they claim to have.

Dennis Hickie
Former Irish wing Dennis Hickie on BBC Radio 5 live

Ireland will look to play on any English weakness today. I expect it to be a very tight game. England are under huge pressure and I think Ireland have a huge reservoir of experience to draw on. They can't afford to let England take the lead because they will be very hard to draw in.

Image source, Reuters

Like Captain Oates setting out from his tent into the frozen wastes, Dylan Hartley and Rory Best leave the sanctuary of the dressing room for the pitch and snow flurries beyond.

Anthem time. Ireland's Call all twiddles and top hat cymbal.

God Save The Queen next and it looks like even Eddie Jones is joining in. Or maybe he was humming Waltzing Matilda.

Kick-off next.

Image source, Reuters

BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Reuters

England goalkeeper Jack Butland speaking to Irish keeper Shay Given on BBC Radio 5 live: Ireland deserve to win the Six Nations this season but it would be great to spoil the Grand Slam. My biggest rugby claim to fame has to be beating Billy Vunipola in a school cup final - we did always need two or three guys to try and stop him though.

Andrew Priestley: This game is going to be won and lost at the breakdown. The front and second rows seem evenly poised, but Ireland look dominant on paper in the back row. Whichever pack can give their world-class number 10 the cleanest, quickest ball will be the winner.

When Ireland won their second Grand Slam the legendary Jack Kyle, star of the 1948 team, was there to congratulate captain Brian O'Driscoll.

Eddie Jones after a challenging week in the England camp: "We're always looking to improve. We've had a good week of preparation. We've been focused on the game - other people have been focused on other things."

On the conditions: "The game we're planning on playing today doesn't depend on the weather."

Where will this game be decided?

Andrew Priestley: This game is going to be won and lost at the breakdown. The front and second rows seem evenly poised, but Ireland look dominant on paper in the back row. Whichever pack can give their world-class number 10 the cleanest, quickest ball will be the winner.

BBC Radio 5 live

You don't need to rely on this clumsily-typed words to keep you up to date with goings on at Twickenham.

Instead the quicksilver tongues of the 5 live commentary team will describe the action quicker and in more detail.

They are a click away at the top of this page.

Image source, PA

Only one question that needs answering ahead of this one...

White or green?

Eddie or Joe?

Owen or Johnny?

Give us your prediction and, if you are feeling bold, a punt at the points spread via #bbcrugby on Twitter or 81111 on text.

Ireland are the first team since 1995 to arrive at Twickenham with a Grand Slam on the line. Only France have ever won here and taken the Slam.

The French have also seen their hopes dashed at the Twickenham graveyard as have Wales and Scotland (twice).