Ireland are staring down the barrel of a massive innings defeat to England at Lords as they ended Friday on 97 for three.
England declared their first innings on a whopping total of 524 for four, establishing a lead of 352 at the end of Day 2 of the one-off test.
Ireland face a daunting deficit of 255 with effectively just six wickets remaining due to a injury to James McCullum.
In the morning, as the clouds parted overhead, England resumed their plunder of the Irish bowlers, with opener Ben Duckett reaching his century off only 106 deliveries and Ollie Pope going past his half century off 64 as England wiped out their 20 run overnight deficit in a matter of minutes.
Indeed, England reached 200 in the 35th over, which is essentially akin to a one day international batting performance and passed the 250 mark in the 41st as Irelands bowlers toiled with no breakthrough on a wicket that offered nothing to the visitors' attack.
By lunch, England had reached 325 for one, a lead of 153 with Duckett, who registered his first century at Lords, moving onto an unbeaten 161.
Irelands bowlers continued to persevere in the afternoon sun but Duckett and Pope scored runs at will, taking England last the 350 mark before Graham Hume finally made the breakthrough, bowling Duckett for a brilliant 182 from just 178 deliveries. This finally ended a second wicket partnership which had clocked up 262 runs.
Pope continued on his way, joined by former England captain Joe Root as the home side raced past 400.
The 25-year old right hander reached his 150 off 165 deliveries as he and Root piled the hurt on a deflated Irish attack.
England were 503 for two by tea-time, with Pope 197 not out with Root reaching a half-century to take his test total past 11,000 runs.
Root was subsequently bowled by Andy McBrine for 56 with the hosts' on 507.
Pope, though, wasn't to be denied and brought up his double-century in fine style with a six. Not long after, he was finally out, stumped by Lorcan Tucker off McBrien's bowling. England took that as their cue to declare on an intimidating total of 524.
Ireland required 353 to avoid an innings defeat but started disastrously, losing PJ Moor (11), an out-of-form Andy Balbirnie (2) before James McCollum was forced to retired with an ankle injury on 12.
Cricket Ireland head physio Mark Rausa confirmed afterwards that McCollum had suffered a "high velocity ankle injury" and had been taken to hospital for further examination.
On 17, Paul Stirling gloved a Josh Tongue delivery and was caught behind with Ireland on 63 for three.
Harry Tector (33) and Lorcan Tucker (21) at least saw the visitors to the close but an early end to the Test is now an overwhelmingly likelihood as play resumes at 11am on Saturday.
Ireland 172 (56.2 overs; James McCollum 36, Curtis Campher 33, Stuart Broad 5-51)
England 524-4 dec (82.4 overs; Ollie Pope 205, Ben Duckett 182, Andy McBrine 2-99)
Ireland 97-3 (26 overs; Harry Tector 33*, Lorcan Tucker 21*, Josh Tongue 3-27)
England lead by 255 runs
