Johnny Sexton is demanding that Ireland turn potential into reality at next year's World Cup after a first Triple Crown triumph on home soil in 18 years was secured on Saturday.
A 26-5 victory over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium secured a fourth win of the 2022 Six Nations for Andy Farrell's side - and only the 11th Triple Crown for Ireland in the history of the championship.
Afterwards, the players watched events at the Stade de France unfold - but France's win against England in the tournament finale secured the Grand Slam for Les Bleus and ended Ireland's hopes of adding the championship crown to their haul.
But Ireland have big ambitions on the back of a breakthrough 12 months.
No Ireland team has never gone beyond the quarter-finals in the World Cup and it has become an obsession to break through that glass ceiling.
Sexton believes that the progress of the last year can make it happen. He said: "We've got great potential, haven't we?
"That's what we have at the moment and we've got to make it reality and we've got to keep building over the next 18 months to make sure that when the World Cup does come around we've taken a slightly different approach.
"We've started talking about it already that this is the journey, which is a different approach to previous management that I've worked under which I think is the right way to do it.
"We're confident in the journey we're on. But at the moment it's only an opportunity.
"We need to keep developing. We had some young guys in during the week who were incredibly impressive and we've had some young guys in through the last year who have been incredibly impressive.
"We need to bring them up to speed and make sure they're ready in 18 months' time.
"We'll get a few bolters, I think, guys that can make a huge difference and that's what we need over the next 18 months to make the squad stronger and better.
"I'm sure that's what Andy will be doing and we're relying on the leadership to do, too."
Sexton revealed he had never been as nervous before a game as Ireland blew hot and cold but earned their third bonus point victory in a row since their loss to France in Paris last month.
"I think because this team means so much to me, genuinely," said the 36-year-old.
"I wanted us to have something to show for all our hard work over the last few weeks. It’s an incredible environment.
"It was more for the squad. That was it. I was nervous. I wanted us to play our best.
"We didn’t quite get there but we did good things at times and we showed guts and showed everyone in the stadium what it means to us to play for Ireland.
"That’s the most important thing.
"We did some things very well, but not as well as we would have wanted in a final.
"We were searching for that x factor performance. We did just enough. We did exactly what we wanted."
Man of the match Dan Sheehan scored the first of Ireland's tries and provided the assist for the second.
The 23-year-old hooker is one of a number of players who have blossomed over the past eight weeks.
"The Triple Crown is hugely special for the Irish people - it's something we hadn’t had for a long while and it’s great to have it back," said the Leinster player.
"It’s great when the pack and backs are putting you on the front foot. It’s easy then and the whole team has worked well over the eight weeks of the Six Nations.
"There’s plenty more in us and to get to where we have with the performances, hopefully something more special is to come."
Sheehan also paid tribute to the home crowd, smiling: "(They were) class.
"We always look forward to coming back to the Aviva. It’s always special and they give us a great rise for every occasion."
