Tadhg Beirne believes that Ireland have created a template to take into their final two games of the Six Nations campaign following an impressive 48-10 victory against Italy in Rome.
The back row forward was named man of the match for a commanding performance in the pack, which saw Ireland score six tries on their way to a facile victory against the struggling Azzurri.
It was Ireland's first win of this year's tournament following two narrow defeats to Wales and France, and Andy Farrell's side now look forward to redeeming their campaign with an away day in Scotland followed by a home clash against England.
"We came into the game and wanted to go at Italy and we wanted to improve our attack a little bit," said Beirne, speaking to Virgin Media after the game.
"We hadn't been clinical at times, but today I think we were much better in that area and it showed on the scoreboard."
And Beirne believes that Ireland can maintain their winning form going into those games by maintaining a physical approach and keep their focus on the offloading game, which looked to have been fine-tuned for the trip to Italy.
"[We need to] keep the physicality up and we just have to keep attacking the way we were today and hopefully we can come away in those games as well."
Beirne, who normally lines out as a lock, started the game as a flanker in a formidable Ireland pack, and the 6ft 6in Munster man said he was just happy to start the game, no matter the position.
"I'm just happy to be on the pitch, no matter what number. We have such good quality with Hendo [Iain Henderson] and James Ryan in the row, so to be on the field when those two lads are fit, I'm just happy to be out there."
Head coach Farrell was happy with the win saying: "I am really pleased and really proud of the lads.
"Over the last couple of weeks, they have stayed strong as a group and they showed true character today and that is what we asked of them.
"Our intent was really good, and our focus was good, and we played some clinical rugby and backed that up with some really strong defence. We earned the right to score some points in that second half and that is what we did.
"We know the best is still in us. It was a good step forward today and we will try and finish this competition strongly."
And looking ahead to Ireland's next fixture against Scotland, captain Johnny Sexton added: "We need to keep our performance like it was today. Scotland have been very impressive in their first two rounds.
"This group is on a journey together, we are a year in, and we would have liked to have had today's performance earlier.
"It is not for a want of trying, just little fix-ups along the way, and today we put them right."
