If you needed an idea how hot it was in Bordeaux during Ireland's 82-8 win against Romania on Saturday, you only had to look at Josh van der Flier.
The World Player of the Year replaced Caelan Doris for the final 23 minutes of the comfortable Pool B victory, but wasn't as instantly recognisable as he jogged on alongside Iain Henderson.
The trademark red scrumcap was left behind on the bench as Van der Flier ran out under the 35C sun.
"It's just an extra bit of heat and it makes a big difference when you take it off," the flanker said of his wardrobe change.
"I did notice that it just feels different not having a scrum cap on but definitely glad not to have it in this heat."
He may have looked different, but even in a 23-minute appearance the Leinster man was full of energy in his cameo, making seven carries for just under 50 metres, and mixing that up with six passes.
There's very little of significance that can be taken from the 75-point win, but the fitness of the Irish players was certainly impressive as they continued to play at pace through the second half, while also refusing to take the easy option and kick the ball out of play before their 12th and final try.
The heat was something Ireland had been prepped for, with similar temperatures on their pre-season camps in Portugal and Biarritz.
"We feel really good," he added.
"To keep playing like that until the end, I thought we kept improving or certainly stayed at the same level throughout the game. It didn't tail off which can happen in those kinds of games. I thought it was very pleasing."
"Jayo [Strength and conditioning coach Jason Cowman] has been brilliant and Ciaran Ruddock as well. The pair of them run a great regime.
"I think pretty much everyone in the squad is in the best shape they’ve ever been nearly, or certainly close to it. Everyone’s feeling very fit as well.
"It was definitely hard work in the heat. It was pretty tricky to play in, you're out of breath a bit quicker than normal, but a lot of credit to the lads.
"It was quite calm out there considering the conditions and obviously a great atmosphere. We were quite clinical in the second half, which was good, and it’s definitely good to have a scoreline like that."
The opposition will get tougher over the coming weeks with Tonga, South Africa and Scotland ahead, but conversely the conditions will get easier. The September heatwave is set to taper off to more manageable temperatures, while the 9pm kick-offs (local tiime) for the remaining games will also be welcomed.
"I was thinking before the tournament that 9pm is so late, it's a really long day, but then when I saw the weather in the captain’s run yesterday, I said I’d happily play at midnight if it’s a bit cooler.
"It should make a big difference. Even today in the first half, most of the pitch was in the sun, second half you were in the sun and it almost felt like a break when you got into the other half of the field where it was a bit shaded.
"So it will definitely make a big difference. A lot of credit has to go to the lads who played 80 minutes out there, they worked really hard. I had 20 minutes and after 15 minutes of my 20 minutes, I was nearly ready to get subbed off again. It was tough."
Watch live coverage of Ireland v Tonga (Saturday, 8pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1, and follow live updates on RTÉ Sport Online and the RTÉ News app.
