For Kieran Treadwell and Craig Casey, Sunday's finale was reward for their patience.
Treadwell scored Ireland's last try with the clock in the red on his first appearance at Test level in over four years - and his first ever Six Nations appearance.
The Ulster second row crashed over for the ninth try against Italy and afterwards admitted: "It was massive for me - 2017, it's been a long time since I got my last cap.
"To get in there and put in a performance that was decent enough...throughout the week, everyone was there to support me and everyone was a big help.
"We're a tight-knit squad and that's happened in a relatively short amount of time.
"For me, with 2017 the last time, four or five years, that's a long time and I've been trying to get myself back in the frame by playing as well as I can.
"Obviously we are such a tight-knit team and squad at the moment so everyone is there, everyone is trying to help.
"It's been massive. We've all the same goal so that makes it easier."
Casey made his Ireland debut in this fixture a year ago but, coming off the bench yesterday for Jamison Gibson-Park, this was his first appearance in the championship since that day in Rome.
The Munster scrum-half said: "Look, I was delighted to get a chance, especially with everything going on at the minute in the world you've got to really enjoy putting on that Irish jersey.
"So loved it, loved every minute that I was able to get out there and hopefully I did well."
What added to the experience was that Casey got to play alongside Johnny Sexton, who also came off the bench.
"I had the chance to play with him on my debut but it was definitely my first time in front of a full crowd here," he said.
"It's a brilliant experience.
"Obviously growing up, Johnny was one of the players I was looking at and wanting to play inside all your teenage years and getting the chance to do it is unbelievable.
"He's quality, like. His leadership is unbelievable, he's an unbelievable player.
"It was great to get a chance to play with him and show what I can do for him."
Andy Farrell praised his contribution as Ireland glossed the scoreboard with a flurry of late tries, but it will be tough for him to knock Conor Murray out of the matchday squad for Twickenham on Saturday week.
"You're hoping to be involved every week, it's just what the coaches think," said Casey.
"If they think I can bring what they want to the game hopefully I'll be involved but there's two other class 9s in the squad as well so it's definitely heated competition.
"We'll see what happens - but hopefully anyway."
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