Stuart McCloskey has acknowledged that there's been a dip in confidence levels within the Ireland squad but remains hopeful that they are close to turning the corner.
The Ulster centre set up tries for Jamie Osborne and Rob Baloucoune in Saturday's 20-13 Guinness Six Nations victory over Italy on Lansdowne Road.
He just missed out on the player of the match award to team-mate Baloucoune, who was making his championship debut aged 28, but, as in Paris in the defeat to France in round one, McCloskey was one of the better performers from two mixed outings.
Ireland have slipped down the World Rugby rankings from first in 2023 to fifth, have lost twice in a row to France, and suffered dispiriting defeats to New Zealand and South Africa last November.
"I don't know, we haven't been playing our best rugby," replied the 33-year-old when asked what he puts the team's apparent lack of surety down to?
"Our confidence probably isn't what it was two or three years ago if you're being completely honest about it but I think we're building something pretty special.
"I think we had chances today, we didn't take a lot of them.
"We played a better brand of rugby but Italy are a good team. There was a stat, they'd won more Six Nations games than Scotland and Wales since the World Cup.
"They played well today, they are going to put you under pressure, when you have two good teams you are going to have momentum swings and you are going to get that.
"The squad is capable of much more than what we delivered against France.
"There's plenty more to come from us, I hope. I think we're doing the right things.
"We've been training well, the attitude's good. I'd love to see a bit more come out on the field and take more chances."
McCloskey is one of just a handful of players certain to start in Twickenham on Saturday as Ireland and England, beaten yesterday by Scotland, bid to keep their championship hopes alive.
The Bangor man has always been in competition with Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw for a starting midfield berth, but even if Aki was not suspended or Henshaw injured, is still the most in-form centre in the country.
He made his debut for Ireland under Joe Schmidt in London in the 2016 championship but never managed to cement his place in the squad.
"I think it's ten years and about a week since my first cap against England so yeah, to stay around this long I must have done something right," he said about his resilience after winning his 25th cap.
"I know I would have loved a few more caps in there but I'm delighted to be here now and hopefully stick around for a bit longer.
"I'm playing well, I know I'm 33 but I feel good.
"I think I'm playing my best rugby, I have been playing my best rugby over the last two or three years so touch wood, stay injury free and get a good run at it."
McCloskey was one of five Ulster players in the matchday squad, with flanker Cormac Izuchukwu, replacement forwards Nick Timoney and Tom O'Toole all playing their part in a nervy win as Italy threatened a massive upset.
"It's great, we'd five in the team," he said as he paid tribute to the set-up under head coach Richie Murphy at the province.
"This time last year we're talking one or two. It's testament to the coaching we've had this year.
"We've really bounced on at Ulster and you've seen the best of those guys whereas I don't think we've seen that over the last two or three years, long may it continue.
"I'd love to see a few more of our guys and well done to the lads there today."
Ireland lost 23-22 to England two years ago in Twickenham thanks to a late Marcus Smith dropgoal that ended their back-to-back Grand Slam hopes, although they managed to retain the Six Nations title.
"I think [England] have really turned a corner over the last year," he said, talking as Steve Borthwick's side lost their 12-game winng streak at Murrayfield.
"They've won a load of games in a row. They seem to always have issues with Scotland, just Scotland for some reason.
"I'm sure it will be a monumental task, they've got a great side, very well coached.
"I think we'll probably go over there as underdogs but I don't think we mind that. I know if we deliver the right things it'll be a good game.
"Yeah, 100% [it's one of the hardest places to go], if you look at the stats it would be very much lay in England's favour at Twickenham."
