There is no doubt that Ireland laid down a marker with their performances in this year's Six Nations. Andy Farrell's side were dominant for the vast majority of the championship, overcoming any adversity that came their way.
They certainly justified their position at the no. 1 ranked team in world rugby, having defeated every other contender for that crown in the last 12 months or so.
Their next challenge will be to replicate that form in the World Cup. Ireland's record in the competition is very poor, although you could make the argument that this will be the best time they have sent to the tournament.
Of course, they haven't been helped by the draw. They will play both South Africa and Scotland in the pool, with a quarter-final against France or New Zealand should they reach that stage.
In saying that, their upcoming opponents have been impressed with the form of the Irish team in recent times.
Siya Kolisi lavishes praise on Ireland after Six Nations Triumph
South Africa will provide a huge test for Ireland in the pool stages of the World Cup later this year, with the defending champions always rising to the occasion in the sport's showpiece event.
Their captain Siya Kolisi has been singing the praises of Ireland ahead of a showdown with some of their players later this week.
Speaking ahead of Sharks' Champions Cup game against Munster this weekend, he said that Farrell's men are the team to chase ahead at this year's World Cup (h/t Irish Examiner).
Special, it was honestly special. They played really well. For a couple of years in a row now, they have been playing really well.
They are a tough team, an amazing team. You can see they are a tight group. I know some of the guys in the group and I am really happy for them.
When another team does well, you shouldn’t feel bad. The opposition doing well can make you want to be better and play at that kind of level.
They really deserved it. They played well in the whole Six Nations and they faced a couple of challenges that they had to fix on the day. Getting the number seven (Josh van der Flier) to throw into the line-out.
They didn’t lose a step in that, so they really did well. They deserve to be the number one so everybody is chasing them going forward.
That is quite the compliment coming from somebody of Kolisi's stature, although you would also have to wonder if there are some mind games on show ahead of the meeting between the two sides in France.
Either way, it is clear that other nations are taking this Irish team very seriously ahead of what is sure to be a very competitive tournament.
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