Andy Farrell says he hadn't paid much attention to the negativity that surrounded his Ireland team but hopes the win over England gets some fans "back on board".
A series of lacklustre defeats to New Zealand, South Africa and France caused concern about the direction of the side just under two years out from the World Cup.
Hampered by a number of injuries to frontliners and a swathe of retirements of senior players, there were question marks about the out-halves, replacement full-backs, while some of their dynamic forwards were playing well below their usual levels.
They scraped past Italy in round two when a draw might have been a fair result so they badly needed a statement performance and it was duly delivered in Twickenham as Ireland ran in five tries in a 42-21 demolition job.
Farrell recalled 274 caps worth of experience in the form of Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier for Saturday's game, however, six of the 23-man squad - Jamie Osborne, Rob Baloucoune, Jeremy Loughman, Nick Timoney, Ciarán Frawley and Tommy O'Brien - had fewer than 13 caps each.
Additionally, Edwin Edogbo won his first cap and Cormac Izuchukwu his fourth in round two.
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Asked about squad-building ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Farrell said: "That's the point. That's the best part of it. We know that and we have to take a bit of stick along the way.
"I suppose a win like this gets people a little bit back on board. As long as we know where we're going."
"I say I don't read it [the negative comments].
"I don't listen to it, I get told. It has to creep into people, into players. I know all that.
"The group is tight enough. I don't think you get performances like that, if that's not the case."
Having hit the heights with a series win in New Zealand, a Grand Slam, another Six Nations title and a world number one ranking between 2022 and 2024, Ireland fans have become accustomed to success.
But Farrell was eager to point out that across the careers of three men, "probably the three most respected players that I know", Brian O'Driscoll, Johnny Sexton and Paul O'Connell, there were more hard days than glory days.
He said: "I think Drico played for 15 years and won two [Six Nations], I think Paulie played for 14 years and won three, Johnny played for 13 years in this competition and won four.
"So have a look at all the ones that they've not won.
"It's because the group is always transitioning and learning. And, honestly, that's why genuinely I didn't care whether we won or lost, whether we grew as a group.
"Because we know what we're trying to get to as a group.
"It doesn't always translate, because people have to feel the ups and downs of international rugby to learn and grow from it. So that's the best part of it today.
"I've said it all along, the squad: it's at where it's at, and it's always going to be at different levels to where it's been in the past or whatever, because that's just life, things move on.
"The potential in the squad is huge. I believe that.
"And you guys [media] can say it's ageing, or we're missing people and they're injured and all that type of stuff.
"But that doesn't matter neither, as long as we're pushing forward and doing ourselves proud.
"So, therefore, over the next 18 months, I think there's plenty of lessons that we can learn and we will do.
"A tough couple of games coming up, a tough summer, and all that will stand to us. We want to be at our best in 18 months' time."
Farrell wasn't inclined to rate Saturday's incredible performances against others of similar ilk, instead preferring to bask in the moment, however, there was special praise for two of Ireland's standouts, man of the match Jamison Gibson-Park (below) and Stuart McCloskey.
The scrum-half, who had been dropped after Paris and came off the bench against Italy to good effect, scored the first try and earned a 10/10 rating on this site.
"[Being left out against Italy] freshens him up and all of that, but you've still got to go out there and do it," he said.
"He thrives; here's an interesting stat for you as far as all the GPS scores and stuff like that. I try not to get too carried away with it, but when he came on the field last week, our intensity grew by 30%.
"The ball was quicker by 30% and that's what he does.
"Sometimes it doesn't even look like he's took the ball, but his nous to be able to step out from the ruck and have a look and be that threat.
"Once he's that threat, everyone's worried about that. He's so strong in and around all that as well.
"That's why I said I thought our broken-field play [was crucial].
"We were at our best when there was a pick-and-go and there was an offload, or when Jamison was scooting doing the short side. It's very pleasing because that's where we need to go."
McCloskey has been the best Irish player across the three championship games with Ireland in third place as they go into the down week ahead of the visit of Wales on Friday 6 March.
His break led to Baloucoune's first-half try and he was a nightmare for the English midfield on both sides of the ball.
With England on the hunt for a bonus point near the end, he led the posse who chased down and threw Marcus Smith (above) into touch, immediately creating an iconic Irish rugby moment.
"[I was happy] because he didn't do that on Tuesday [at training], and we highlighted it, and there's a few others did," Farrell, who also said the team took inspiration from the Under-20's 31-21 win over England on Friday night, revealed.
"He did it on Wednesday, and it just shows, doesn't it, about your preparation.
"You prepare properly, and then it stands to you on a weekend. Those types of things matter more than scoring tries."
