Ireland coach Andy Farell praised his side for the "unbelievable character" they showed in holding on for a nerve-wracking 20-13 win over Italy in a thrilling Six Nations match at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
The Italians just came up short of recording their first-ever Six Nations win in Dublin, but two second-half tries by the hosts – including one by man of the match Robert Baloucoune – was enough to see them over the line.
Farrell had been extremely disappointed by Ireland's performance in their opening 36-14 hammering by France – and he admitted they had been a long way from perfect against the Italians.
"It was a hell of a test match," Farrell told Virgin Media.
"From our side of things, there are obviously things we need to address as far as errors and getting better, but the story of the match for me is that we showed unbelievable character to come through against a very good Italian side.
"They don't go away like they used to do, that's for sure."
Farrell, who made six changes to the starting line-up from the French match, will have been alarmed by the way in which the scrum once again cracked but impressed by the defence against waves of Italian attacks in the final 10 minutes.
"It's unbelievable pride from myself and coaching staff, proud of the fighting spirit. Italy were knocking the door down constantly in those last 10 minutes, but we stood strong," said the 50-year-old Englishman.
Irish captain Caelan Doris breathed a sigh of relief and said it had been a "proper battle".
"That was a proper battle the whole way through," he told broadcaster Virgin Media.
"That last 10-minute period, we defended quite a bit in our own 22, so I'm happy with some of the character we showed."
'EXPRESS MYSELF'
Doris admitted the performance was a long way off their best but said it gave them something to build on ahead of the daunting trip to play England at Twickenham next Saturday.
"Italy played some very good stuff and tested us throughout," he said.
"I feel there's some stuff we left out there, we weren't clinical enough, some of our discipline was a little bit off, but it's definitely pleasing to be on the right side of the result, it's a good swing-board to build on for next week."
Farrell had bemoaned the lack of intent from his side in a woeful first half against France, they trailed the French 22-0 at halftime.
"Intent was definitely the word of the week, and I think we showed more of that in the second half," said Doris.
"There was a pretty good feeling in the first half, but there was another step-up in the second.
"Some pleasing stuff in there, but some lessons to be learned as well ahead of going to Twickenham next week."
Baloucoune may have waited almost four years since his last appearance for Ireland but he made the most of it, his wonderful footwork in scoring his try contributing to him being man of the match.
"Even to get a chance to get into the Six Nations camp was unbelievable," said the 28-year-old Ulster wing.
"But to get to play and score on my Six Nations debut has been unreal. Faz (Andy Farrell) told me to go out there and express myself, and I feel like I've done that."