Former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan says it's important that Ireland block out the noise that followed on from their showing in Paris, insisting that a statement performance is required in their second Guinness Six Nations clash against Italy on Saturday.
Andy Farrell's men were at the receiving end of a thrashing by the French last week, with the coach questioning his side's fight following the 36-14 reverse.
O'Sullivan was a guest on RTÉ Radio 1's Inside Sport and called on the Irish squad to be "professional" in how they deal with the criticism that has come their way, something under the stewardship of Andy Farrell they would not, up to now, have been accustomed to.
Added work for the current coach then, says the man who guided the national team between 2001 and 2008.
"The shock was not that we lost in Paris but how poor the performance was and his comments afterwards where he called the team out for not delivering was telling," said O'Sullivan.
"Farrell knows well at the moment there is a lot of talk based on how things panned out last week.
"There is a fair bit of pressure but at the same time this week there is another game so he's got to find a way to block all that white noise out. Anything other than focusing on Italy is not going to help him. The team are also not unaware of what is going on, of what is being said in the media, social media.
"So it's about blocking everything out and focus on the next job. I'm sure Gary Keegan (performance coach), who is involved in the team's mental preparation will be very busy this week in getting guys to refocus."
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O'Sullivan, perhaps quite worryingly, cited a lack of options to call on, in that nobody put themselves up for inclusion as an Ireland XV went down to defeat to England A at Thomond Park.
"The got a bad beating," he added.
"He (Farrell) was at that game. These are the guys who should be kicking down the door to get into the first team and from what I saw and from general opinion, nobody raised a flag. I don't think there is anybody breaking down the door to get into this team at the minute. He's limited in what he can do.
"The two things that can change for him is can he get people back from injury?
"It looks like Tadhg Furlong might be fit and well again, that will be a huge boost to have him back at tighthead. I think he has to consider the impact the bench had in Paris when they came on. They certainly energised the team and brought a freshness to it. But I don't see anybody coming out of that Limerick game."
"And then leaders on the field who can drive things."
O'Sullivan pointed to Caelan Dorris and Jamison Gibson-Park: "The guys that are the nailed-on players on the team," he stated.
He also referenced a former No 10.
"The caller-out-in-chief has gone: Johnny Sexton. Everybody knew was Johnny on the field, even at training nobody missed a beat because Johnny was on to them. He's gone now. I know he's involved but it's not the same thing, he's not going to have the same impact sitting in the stand or on training sessions. The guys have to call each other out. I presume there will be a lot of talk this week from the leadership group.
"It's important to spread the role of leadership; different guys talking at different times."
And so to the Aviva on Saturday afternoon.
"Not the England game, so a chance to take breath," O'Sullivan says.
"Winning on Saturday does not buy you extra credit; we should beat Italy at home. We need a statement performance. Italy are in a good place but the focus is about getting a good job done on Saturday, if we don't the pressure will mount again. England game will define the championship for us.
"Hopefully we can put Italy away comfortably and then we're ready to go to Twickenham."
Watch Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on Friday from 7.25pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Watch Scotland v England on RTÉ Player
Follow a live blog on Ireland v Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday from 2.10pm on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
