Ireland assistant coach Paul O’Connell says it was pleasing to see the coaching plans “come to fruition” in the side’s thumping five-try 42-21 Six Nations win over England at Twickenham on 21 February.
The Irish side catapulted themselves into contention for the title by building on their home win over Italy in Dublin after suffering a humbling opening weekend defeat by France.
Following the tournament’s rest week, a home game against Wales is next up for Ireland this Friday [20:10 GMT], with Scotland the visitors to the Aviva Stadium on the final weekend of the championship on 14 March.
“You have certain messages every week, you’ve a certain plan going into the game thinking it’s going to work, and at times that has happened over the last few weeks – it just hasn’t always happened,” O’Connell reflected at Tuesday’s media conference.
“To see some of the play that came out in the game, to see some of the bits that you’re working on in the training ground come to fruition, was great as well.
“The hunger of the players was enjoyable to watch too, right up until the end of the game, how hard they worked to produce a performance. That’s one of the most satisfying things you experience as coaches in the stand.”
The forwards coach says there remains plenty of room for improvement in the remaining two fixtures.
“For us it’s just about getting better from the last performance and that’s what the focus is on and the excitement for us as coaches and as players.
“Even though it was a good result there are plenty of things we need to improve on.”
O’Connell added that winning the Triple Crown or the championship have not been a topic for discussion but is up front about the side’s ambitions.
“We haven’t discussed trophies or silverware or anything like that, but we might,” he told reporters.
“You always come into a campaign trying to win it and we don’t shy away from it. Andy has a meeting tomorrow, he might mention it, I don’t know.
“But for us as coaches and players, it is just about getting set for the Welsh game.”
The Irish coach explained that the return of centre Bundee Aki after a four-game suspension for “verbal abuse and disrespect” towards match officials in Connacht’s URC loss to Leinster in January had come as a boost before the meeting with Steve Tandy’s side.
“It’s great, he’s a brilliant personality to have around the place. He trained quite well today and it’s great to have that leadership, that kind of personality, around the group.”
