Craig Casey suggested that the chance of a late call-up to the British and Irish Lions squad was part of the motivation for Ireland's ruthless demolition job against Portugal.
The Munster scrum-half missed out on selection for Andy Farrell's squad and was also overlooked when Wales' Tomos Williams suffered a tour-ending injury against Western Force two weeks ago with Ben White of Scotland getting the nod.
After admitting to disappointment at missing out, the stand-in Ireland captain has not given up hope of finishing his season in Australia, where Jamison Gibson-Park, Alex Mitchell and White are the scrum-half options, if needed.
The 26-year-old did his chances no harm as he led Ireland, with 17 players already on Lions duty, to wins over Georgia and Os Lobos, scoring tries in both matches.
Interim head coach Paul O'Connell saw his charges break numerous records in Lisbon last night as they scored 100 points in a Test for the first time; a record winning margin, most tries and most conversions (12, all by Jack Crowley).
The result was never in doubt with the visitors 28-0 up by the 13th minute and Portugal providing no more than token opposition.
However, Ireland have been guilty of switching off in previous encounters against lower class opposition and Casey was glad to oversee an 80-minute performance a week before the first of three Lions Tests against Joe Schmidt's Wallabies.
"We talked about staying in it, no matter what the score was, and putting our game on it," Casey said after the 106-7 victory.
"Last week [against Georgia] we didn't really play the way we wanted to play, so this week was nice, a dry ball, and we said be ruthless with it.
"That's what the coaches wanted, and that's what the coaches in Australia would probably be looking for as well, is mentality and stuff like that.
"I think that came out in spades."
Portugal, who beat Fiji and drew with Georgia at the 2023 World Cup, lost captain Tomás Appleton to injury in the 21st minute and his replacement, Gabriel Aviragnet, departed 15 minutes later.
"It's tough for Portugal," said O'Connell.
"They lost 14 players after the World Cup, and they're in a rebuilding phase now.
"They played a 6:2 (bench split) as well, and lost their two backs early on.
"It made it a real challenge for them. so I was sorry for Portugal but delighted for our boys.
"Just their attitude is phenomenal.
"It's a different type of tour, particularly when a Lions tour happens, and one like this when we lose so many players.
"So, for us to get so many players capped and for them to train with the application they've had, and play with the mentality they had, is very pleasing, and it's good for the future of Irish rugby."
