Farrell's team daring with ball and disciplined without

After a full house in the Aviva, the journey back to normality continues next weekend with a trip to Paris and the Irish support will travel some hope.

The novelty of foreign travel after two years will be one cause for optimism, but also Saturday's 29-7 dismantling of a poor Wales side at a packed Aviva Stadium.

Tournament favourites France don't get their first runout until this afternoon, and while it may be hard to gauge much against perennial whipping boys Italy, it is almost guaranteed Fabien Galthie's dynamic and powerful side will offer a very different proposition to Wayne Pivac's depleted and dispirited Wales.

The stadium on Lansdowne Road was rocking after three minutes when Bundee Aki touched down and while the scoring rate slowed, thanks in no small part to a blustery wind that played havoc with Johnny Sexton's kicks at goals, Ireland played with the vibrancy that defined their November wins over Japan, New Zealand and Argentina.

"Running at space," was Bernard Jackman's big takeaway from Ireland's attacking performance. "Their variety and ability to move the ball, left or right.

"It's a big carry on from November, Ireland's ability to run at space and that is not always wide. It is wherever you see the opportunity."

'A potential area of dominance for us is the front row' - @bernardjackman runs the rule over where the game could be won and lost today#IREvWAL #rtesport