James Ryan is not one for dwelling on past results and insists the Ireland squad need to "draw a line" under everything they achieved last season.
Ryan has enjoyed a remarkable start to his professional career and has yet to taste defeat with 22 wins coming from his 22 games.
The Leinster player finished his first season with a Six Nations Grand Slam along with Champions Cup and Pro14 medals in his back pocket.
However despite enjoying such a stellar year personally and Ireland having claimed only their third ever Grand Slam, Ryan claims that Ireland are resetting their goals ahead of their summer tour of Australia.
"It’s been a great year and obviously the Six Nations was pretty successful but you have to draw a line at some stage and we’re excited on building on that and seeing where it takes us," he said.
"What tougher challenge than Australia in their back yard? It’s a good barometer so we’re excited.
"All we’re thinking about this week in Australia in Suncorp, so we’ll take it from there.
"There’s competition everywhere, it’s great thing and it drives people on. It’s a good spot for a squad to be in."
Ryan believes that the tour of Australia is the perfect way to discover just where Ireland are at right now as they continue to build towards next year’s World Cup.
"We’re well aware of the enormity of what lies ahead, it’s a huge test match this weekend against one of the best sides in the world in their back yard.
"One of the hallmarks of the group is that we don’t take too much notice of what’s being said outside of it. We’ll have a plan in place this week as we always do and we’ll hopefully deliver on that.
"They’re the last team to beat the All-Blacks. They beat New Zealand in the last game they played in Suncorp [Stadium]. So that’s saying something.
"That’s the same stadium where we’re playing them. Apparently it’s a pretty class venue, the stadium is nice and close to the pitch and it will generate some atmosphere, so it’s going to be a hell of a test match."
