An opening game defeat in defence of the Six Nations wasn’t part of the Ireland script, but there are four rounds left and much for Joe Schmidt’s wounded side to play for.
Such was the dominant display of the visitors to the Aviva Stadium, it was Ireland, rather than the men in white, that were somewhat flattered by the 12-point winning margin.
"These things happen," was how flanker Peter O’Mahony explained the defeat to RTÉ Sport’s Michael Corcoran.
The 29-year-old admitted that Ireland were second best, but with a title to play for and a rejuvenated Scotland up next, the time for licking wounds must be short and over now over with.
"It’s about turning he page for us. There’s huge excitement to get back out on the training park, put in a big performance and hopefully put it right this weekend."
The squad have already dissected the video analysis of the game and parts of it surely made for difficult viewing. Schmidt alluded to the fact his team had been "bullied" physically and the Munster backrower says it is vital that players hold themselves accountable to their shortcomings.
"Naturally enough, we are hard enough on each other," he said of the game review. "It’s important not to be, but it’s a trait we have had over the years. We have huge standards, not just from the coaching staff, but for ourselves.
"Guys know that it takes more than last weekend to beat teams with the quality England have."
Aside from the match footage, O’Mahony says he has replayed the 80 plus minutes over and over in his head "and all hours of the morning". The feeling of letting others down, from team-mates, to coaches, to supporters and family, still lingers but if channeled in the correct manner, can be a useful source of motivation for the future. Not just against Scotland this weekend.
"Joe has made it clear to us that we can’t be hanging around now"
"It’s important for that feeling to stay with us, not just for this week, but for a long time," he says. "It will certainly be in the back of the mind all this week.
"Going down the line, it is something you don’t want to feel again."
Detail-oriented Schmidt too has no doubt revisited the game multiple times since Jerome Garces blew the full-time whistle on Saturday. The Kiwi has reminded the troops that the response must be immediate if Ireland are to be in the conversation at the business end of the table come March.
"Joe has made it clear to us that we can’t be hanging around now. It’s the first game of the Six Nations.
"We have got to kick on and put it to bed."
An away tie is challenging scheduling after a home defeat and Gregor Townsend’s side come into the game full of confidence after dispatching Italy at the weekend.
With Edinburgh and Glasgow flying high in Europe and a raucous Murrayfield looking to turn their home patch into a fortress, the task is a formidable one from an Irish perspective.
"It’s probably stacked against us," O’Mahony says of Ireland's chances of an away win, "but I know this team well enough and we love a good challenge. There’s no better challenge than going to Murrayfield and having to put in a performance."
