France established itself as one of the world's best, the MLR proved once again that 2020 is anyone's year, and the Life Running Eagles restored order at the top of D1A rugby. 

All this and more as we look at 10 notes from the weekend:

1. France's Time Is Now

When new France head coach Fabien Galthie took over the job after this past World Cup, hopes were that by 2023 he'd be able to foster all of the team's young talent into a viable World Cup contender. 

Few people expected it of France to instantly become one of the best three or four teams in the world, and there was a to be a grace period to allow the squad, whose oldest player is just 28, to develop over time. 

But the French have thrown experience out the window with the start of Galthie's tenure. Les Bleus are well on their way to a Six Nations Grand Slam, particularly after their barnstorming 27-23 win in Cardiff over Wales on Saturday. 

France may still be the team of the future but, as it stands, they're also the team of the now. 

2. England Bullies Ireland. Again. 

In what's starting to become a trend, England just tee'd off on the Irish in their encounter this past weekend. Following Ireland's Grand Slam-winning, St. Patrick's day victory over the Poms in 2018, England has dropped the hammer on the Irish three consecutive meetings. 

Sunday's matchup was a dominant display from England, who won the game 24-12 in front of a packed Twickenham crowd. The Irish seemed short on ideas, and time and time again looked like crash dummies for the English defenders to smash into into with massive double tackles. 

Ireland never really looked in the game, and they'll have to step their game up massively if they plan to win in Paris in the final weekend to preserve their title hopes. 

England needs to win against Wales in their next match to stay alive for the title, but if they can do so it'll put massive pressure on France to win out the rest of the way. 

3. Is It Time For Italy To Be Dropped?

It feels like a broken record, but for how long will the conversation persist before Italy is actually dropped from the Six Nations?

The Italians haven't won a Six Nations game since 2015, bringing their losing streak to 25 games. Against 0-2 Scotland on Saturday, they couldn't even muster a single point at home in the 17-0 defeat. 

At this point, it feels like keeping Italy in the Six Nations is a waste of time, and there are certainly other viable candidates to replace them should they drop. Japan, for instance, could be in the market for an annual Tier-1 competition, and there have been rumors that South Africa could one day make a bid to join the competition. 

4. This 2020 MLR Race Is Wide Open

Through three weeks, the latest edition of the MLR season is already proving greater balance and parity across the league, something everyone can appreciate. 

So many teams look like they could be viable playoff contenders, and at long last it appears there isn't any team that will just get trampled over. Only two unbeaten teams remain, Toronto and San Diego, and those two teams haven't necessarily blown the competition away each game. 

It's very promising for the development of the league, and makes each week far more exciting, given that there are no easy games this season. As ever, new faces will pop up as the campaign moves forward through the year, so the next 13 rounds of action are sure to bring many more twists and turns before this all shakes out. 

5. Legion, Arrows Leading The Pack

With so much balance across the league so far, it's impressive how the San Diego Legion and Toronto Arrows have moved through the first three rounds unbeaten. 

The Legion are likely the deepest team in the competition at the moment, featuring a number of great players all across the board. They were pushed a bit by New England on Sunday, but their class showed through en route to a 30-21 win. 

The Arrows, meanwhile, won their third consecutive road game on Saturday night when they handled the Seattle Seawolves 39-17. Toronto is such a well-balanced squad, and have zero obvious deficiencies. Beating them will take a disciplined, accurate performance, which was almost pulled off by Houston a week ago. 

San Diego faces a tough test this week when it visits New Orleans, while Toronto heads down to Atlanta to try and reach 4-0 on the year. 

6. The Beast, Old Glory Looking Strong

It's now two wins in a row for Old Glory DC, following its strong 22-13 victory in Houston on Saturday. 

After a rough start to the year in New Orleans, the men from DC added the legendary Tendai Mtawarira to the front row, and it seems to have sparked something inside the rest of the squad. Considering this is just the team's first year together, it's likely they'll only get exponentially better throughout the season. 

Old Glory will travel to San Antonio, TX to take on the Austin Gilgronis this week, and the Sabercats welcome RUNY to Houston. 

7. Heartbreak, But The Losing Streak Is Over

The Austin Gilgronis snapped the franchise's 20-game losing streak when they faced the Utah Warriors on Saturday night, but the result wasn't nearly as sweet as it could have been. 

The AG's seemed to have the game locked up, until a pair of late penalties gave the Warriors one final chance to tie the game up. Leading 20-13 in the 81st minute, the Gilgronis had Utah on the ropes and pinned back inside its own half. Making little ground, it was only a matter of time before the Warriors would make a mistake and see Austin win its first game in two years. 

Unfortunately, Austin got impatient and went for a poach and were penalized. Furthermore, the ref tacked on an extra 10 meters to the penalty for an AG's player throwing the ball down in frustration. Given an extra lifeline, Utah fly-half Hagen Schulte delivered an incredible 45 meter kick for touch right down the the Austin 5-meter line. 

The Warriors then rolled in a maul and converted the kick to tie the game. It was a bittersweet ending for the Gilgronis, who ended the longest losing skid in league history, but will be frustrated with their inability to close the game out. However, signs are really pointing towards a massive 2020 turnaround for Austin. 

Austin hosts Old Glory DC in San Antonio this week, while Utah travels to Colorado to play the Raptors. 

8. RUNY Finding Its Footing

Rugby United New York has bounced back well after a poor opening outing against the Freejacks. They followed up last week's 49-31 win over Austin with a gritty 22-19 road victory against Rugby ATL. 

Tipped as one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference for 2020, RUNY flashed that potential on Sunday afternoon, turning in a big defensive performance and taking opportunities when they were presented. 

Atlanta suffered its first ever MLR defeat, but ought not to be too concerned just yet. They played a good game, and on another day could well have pulled off the victory. As the attack structure for Atlanta comes more into shape as the year moves on, Rugby ATL will be continue to be a dark horse in the playoff race. 

RUNY will play Houston down in Texas this week, and Atlanta will take on Toronto at home. 

9. NOLA Holds On, Bounces Back

The Gold traveled up to chilly Glendale, CO to face the winless Raptors, and found themselves in an extremely tight ball game. 

It came down to the final whistle, but a forward pass from Colorado at the death ruled off a potential match-tying try, preserving the 27-20 win for NOLA. 

The Gold have a massive fixture coming up this week when San Diego comes to the Shrine on Airline, while the Raptors try and get in the win column against the Utah Warriors. 

10. Life Shows Grit, Bounces Back vs Lindenwood

After suffering their first loss since 2017 a week ago, the Life Running Eagles had their backs against the walls. They welcomed the #2 ranked Lindenwood Lions to town in a rivalry match between two of the perennial juggernauts of college rugby. 

Watch the replay right here on FloRugby!

Falling behind 14-3 in the first half, it looked like Life may be on its way to a second consecutive loss, but the boys dug in and found a way to comeback and win 29-22 with an epic goal line stand to end it. 

Life harkened back to the Running Eagle teams of old on Saturday, bringing an aggression and attitude that would not be stopped. The Lions played some fantastic rugby themselves, but couldn't quite get over the hump and defeat Life for the first time in the program's history. 

Both teams figure to be right in the thick of the D1A playoff run, and this won't be the last time they square off in 2020.