Jonny Wilkinson should discover in the next 24 hours whether or not he will pay a hefty price for England's Calcutta Cup no-show by being axed ahead of the Ireland game next Saturday.
The fly-half superstar has never been dropped during his 69-cap England career that began as a replacement against Ireland 10 years ago.
England face the same opponents at Twickenham — but a contrast in circumstances could hardly be greater.
On that occasion, England toppled Ireland 35-17 following a 34-20 success in Edinburgh two weeks earlier, which meant they enjoyed a Triple Crown-winning campaign.
But even a top-three finish might prove beyond them in this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship.
And Wilkinson, the new holder of Test rugby's world points record, could prove the biggest casualty.
Although the 28-year-old has received public support from obvious sources, such as his England and Newcastle colleague Mathew Tait, calls for Wilkinson to be dropped have grown louder by the hour.
A lack of tactical authority and dreadful kicking from hand against Scotland seemingly leaves England head coach Brian Ashton with little option other than to axe him.
Danny Cipriani, now back with the England squad after being
ditched for Scotland when he was pictured leaving a London
nightspot after midnight, or
Charlie Hodgson — Wilkinson's second-half replacement
at Murrayfield — are leading alternatives.
The smart money is on 20-year-old Cipriani being given his big chance, despite Ashton's reputation as being something of a conservative selector.
Ashton normally announces his team on a Tuesday of Test week, and if Wilkinson does get the boot, he is unlikely to be alone.
Wing Lesley Vainikolo must also fear the worst four Tests into an England career that remains stalled on the starting grid, while flanker James Haskell will be back, provided he is declared fit following an ankle injury.
The England squad has now reassembled at its Bath training base, anxious to move on towards a Six Nations finale that will only decide mid-table finishing positions rather than settle title business.
