Ireland head coach Noel McNamara believes his players have gained belief from the Six Nations but warns that spring success will have little relevance as they start their U20 World Championship against England today.
McNamara's men begin their tournament in Santa Fe (7.30pm Irish time) against a side they beat en route to Grand Slam glory in the spring.
"For us, the Six Nations was very much about us being the hunter and nothing has changed," he told RTÉ Sport's Damien O'Meara.
"It is something we've taken confidence from but, equally, it's about looking forward and what's to come.
"We're embracing the belief that we've got over the course of the last few months but we recognise that that's not going to count for a hell of a lot when it comes to taking to the pitch.
"It's about that game and that 80 minutes."
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McNamara will give five players their first World Cup start as out-half Harry Byrne, centre David Hawkshaw lock Brian Deeny and back rows Martin Moloney and Scott Penny all miss the tournament through injury.
Full-back Iwan Hughes, centre Stewart Moore and No 8 Azur Allison all earn their first caps.
Ireland face a gruelling schedule of three games in eight days. On Saturday they will be back in action against Australia with their final group match against Italy on Wednesday week.
Only the group winners are guaranteed a place in the semi-finals so McNamara expects that everyone will see game-time.
"There's a really short turnaround so it's about managing energy and making full use of the squad," he said.
"All 28 players are going to have a big role to play."
"Throughout the course of the year, there was real competition for places.
"There are a couple of players unavailable for the World Cup so that has provided an opportunity, as well as the competition that was already there.
"We have got five first starts in the competition for guys coming in so it's an opportunity to come in and make a name for themselves."
Whether they progress to the knockout stages or not though, for McNamara it's all about preparing the players for the bigger challenges that could come down the line in 2023 or '27.
"As an experience, it's unparalleled, for what these guys are going to get over the course of the next few weeks.
"Even the travel alone: to get here was a 36-hour trek to the team hotel.
"They're going to learn so much about themselves, each other and the opposition, the different styles of play they're going to experience and different interpretations.
"Many of these guys have never been outside of Europe before. They've certainly never played Southern
Hemisphere teams or had Southern Hemisphere referees. The time-difference challenges.
"If you want to learn you have to get outside your comfort zone and that's very much the case with this tournament."
