It's just over seven weeks since Andy Farrell named his first lineup of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations.
When the Ireland head coach sat down in the basement of their hotel on the Algarve, the question around this Irish side was whether or not they would be able to shake off their World Cup hangover.
In the end, they delivered a second successive championship, and while it didn't end with the Grand Slam that they had been heavily tipped for after that opening win in France, had you offered Farrell this outcome on that Wednesday morning at the end of January, he'd have taken your hand off for it.
The reason for the pre-tournament trepidation wasn't just contained in the potential World Cup hangover. The first game of this championship was also the first of the post-Johnny Sexton era.
When Ireland travel to South Africa this summer, they'll do so with Jack Crowley well settled into the 10 shirt.
Very few players have stepped into the team with a heavier weight of pressure on their shoulder, and in his maiden campaign as Ireland's first-choice out-half, the Munster man has banked priceless big-game experience.
The 24-year-old says he isn't going to sit back and bask in the achievement though.
"It wasn't perfect," he said, as he summed up the campaign.
"There is an expectation to rise to the level. As an individual you just need to bring your own game and deliver to what the team needs and at times there were mistakes and whatnot but I have the backing of the group and to play in this group is special. I was very happy."
Last week's defeat to England saw the walls squeeze in on Ireland and the pressure build, and the 17-13 win over Scotland reflected that, with an edgy Irish display coughing up a number of golden opportunities in the third quarter.
But while Crowley admitted to feeling the nerves in the build-up to the title decider, he says the team can take huge credit for how they stuck to the task.
"For all games [I was nervous] really because they are all different. You're exposed to different things against different opposition and they all have their own strengths. We prepare from Monday to Wednesday and then it’s all about performance.
"It's different, it’s different starting in terms of running the ship and steering the lads into position but, again, with the players I have around me and the calibre, as a ten it makes my job so easy when the pack do what they do in terms of the set-piece and the back line outside me and the nines inside me. It’s a pleasure.
"You saw it right to the end, we were in a fight all day with them and we knew that they [Scotland] had something to play for as well with the Triple Crown. And besides that they are a good side so we were challenged in all areas. That was a real battle today," he added.
In addition to Crowley, the first campaign of the new World Cup cycle saw Joe McCarthy cement his place in the Irish pack.
Having made his debut late in 2022 and used in bits and pieces in 2023, the 22-year-old started all five games of the championship, with his physicality giving Ireland an extra element of power.
"It feels amazing, it feels like a fitting end to this group and it's just class, seeing all the fans staying around and the full stadium, it was unbelievable," McCarthy told RTÉ Sport after picking up his winners medal.
"I had tonnes of nerves during the week. It means so much to you playing for your country and your family.
"Everyone was a bit nervous after last week's loss but delighted to get over the line."
McCarthy dropped like a bomb on the championship with a performance for the ages against France in Marseille, and while the second row is still a bit rough around the edges, he says this championship has been an eye-opening experience.
"I've been so grateful the coaches gave me the opportunity and they trusted me throughout the tournament, last week we lost but they trusted me again.
"I've learned loads, it's been a great couple of months and taken loads of learnings. Hopefully I'll kick on now.
"It wasn't perfect, I definitely feel there was a lot to learn from it but there's hopefully a lot left in the season and I'll try to get better.
"I'll relax now and try to enjoy this, it's the first bit of silverware for myself and a few guys, and then hopefully kick on from here now," he added.
