In Marseille on Friday night, Ireland found another level. The post-Sexton era is looking promising.
Andy Farrell is not thinking in four-year cycles. This squad is optimised for winning the 2024 Six Nations, not the 2027 World Cup.
The longer Scotland keep the game close, the more confident they will become as they look to take advantage of Ireland's poorer second half performances.
When the ball is in play, a rugby referee has 138 potential penalties he may award, a staggering amount to assess while keeping up with elite professional athletes.
The lineout will be a key battle in the tactical war at the Aviva. Ireland will have a plan to restrict France's attacking ambitions.
Coaches would typically be replaced due to poor performance in the first part of the cycle, but it is very unusual to be let go within 10 months of the biggest competition as in the cases of Eddie Jones and Wayne Pivac.
The Ireland head coach is shaping a new era for his team. Backing his own instincts and his players' ingenuity, he is letting go of the past.
As the Six Nations approaches, how Tadhg Beirne has taken time to thrive tells us much about player development in Ireland and what is prioritised.
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