It was a nightmare day for England as they came up against an inspired France who stormed Twickenham to claim a record 53-10 win on Saturday.
The result is the heaviest home defeat in the Red Rose's history and sees France draw level with Ireland in the standings, albeit with Andy Farrell's unbeaten side having played a game less.
The Irish take on Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday and are just 1/10 to win the Six Nations, with the Scots 10/1 and France 14/1.
The Triple Crown could also be decided on Sunday, with Ireland 1/2 to take that gong, although they will need to wait until after they have also faced England next weekend, while Scotland are 13/5 to claim that honour for the first time since 1990.
Elsewhere on Saturday and it was a much-improved performance by Wales in the day's early match as they claimed their first victory of Warren Gatland's second spell in charge.
They climbed off the foot of the Six Nations standings with a 29-17 victory against an Italy side who again played with flair but were unable to take their chances.
France were quickly out of the blocks, with Thomas Ramos completing a free-flowing move after just a minute before Thibaut Flament barged over to strengthen the visitors' grip on proceedings.
Ramos converted both and added a penalty to put his side 17-0 up before Marcus Smith kicked a penalty to get England on the board.
However, Charles Ollivon went over just before the break after a huge Les Blues scrum and the visitors were in total control, 27-3 to the good.
Freddie Steward scored a try to spark a potential comeback but France turned on the style in the London rain as further scores from Flament and Ollivon, as well as a brace from Damien Penaud, saw them complete a record 53-10 victory.
The result reignites France's hopes of retaining the Championship and will further increase the belief within Fabien Galthie's side ahead of their home World Cup in the autumn.
Les Bleus are the 11/4 favourites to win World Cup 2023 and will look to finish their tournament in style in next Saturday's 14:45 game at home to Wales.
Flament admitted afterwards that it was a "special game" for his team, while Ellis Genge, who captained England until Owen Farrell came off the bench, described it as "one of our worst performances".
England coach Steve Borthwick echoed those thoughts, admitting that his team were "exposed" on a sobering day for his side, who have to regroup ahead of next Saturday's trip to Dublin.
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Wales looked to have found some cohesion in Rome as they ran in three tries in the first half, with Rio Dyer and Liam Williams crossing, while there was also a penalty score, which resulted in a Lorenzo Cannone yellow card.
The Azzurri improved in the early stages of the second period but their discipline on both sides of the ball cost them, with Pierre Bruno yellow carded for an elbow into the throat of Wyn Jones.
Taulupe Faletau grabbed the bonus-point try for Gatland's side, while Sebastian Negri and Juan Ignacio Brex crossed for the Azzurri, who had other chances but failed to take them.
They now look destined for the Wooden Spoon, and are 1/14 To Finish Bottom. Their closing fixture is away to Scotland, while Wales will have renewed confidence as they prepare to travel to France.
Sunday's final match of round four has the potential to produce more pulsating action as Scotland host Ireland.
A win at 14/5 for the Scots will see them claim the Triple Crown for the first time since 1990 and they have undoubtedly made progress, beating both England and Wales while they were unlucky not to get more from their round three defeat in France last time out.
That ended their Grand Slam hopes but Ireland's remain. They have beaten Wales, France and Italy with accompanying bonus points and are 1/2 to claim their first Grand Slam since 2018.
The Irish, who have been able to recall Johnny Sexton, Garry Ringrose and Tadhg Furlong, are 1/3 to win at Murrayfield on Sunday and have won the pair's last seven meetings. However, it may not be all one-way traffic.
Seven of the last eight meetings at Murrayfield have been decided by nine points or fewer and Ireland are 17/4 to win by 6-10 in the Winning Margin, while Farrell's side are 15/4 to triumph by 1-5 points.
Scotland also carry plenty of threat, with Ramos' try at Twickenham taking him level with the Scots' Huw Jones on three scores.
Having scored against Ireland at Murrayfield in 2021, Jones is 14/5 Anytime and his battle with the returning Ringrose could be key to deciding the match.
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