Rory Best hopes that the”kick in the teeth” of Ireland’s list defeat to England can jumpstart their World Cup push.
Ireland are currently settling into their Japanese surroundings ahead of their Pool A opener against Scotland in Yokohama on September 22.
Joe Schmidt’s men were thumped 57-15 by England at Twickenham last month but have shrugged off that record reduction by beating Wales two to climb to the top of the world ranks.
Captain Greatest has conceded Ireland let this year’s Six Nations pass them by, as their Grand Slam defence ended in a fair finish.
Ireland looked far sharper and more aggressive at the 19-10 win over Wales in Dublin which shut their warm-up campaign, with guys Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton straight back at the groove – but Greatest has demanded wide-ranging and speedy advancement.
“Sometimes you require a moment in which you need to represent, and we probably let the Six Nations ramble by, subconsciously, I believe,” said Best.
“We’d talked about needing to do so and to do this but sometimes you will need a correct kick in the teeth say’whatever we think will happen will not only do this because we presume we are a good team, we all will need to just return to and really re-establish our principles’.
“And it’s about really living themnot just talking about these.
“We made some progress from the games against Wales, but we are under no illusions we’ve still got a lot of work to perform.
“We can start focusing on Scotland now and that’s very exciting for everyone.”
Ireland’s eight-try humbling at the hands of a rampant England ignited widespread concern about the chances of boss Joe Schmidt’s side enrolling their World Cup reunite in Japan.
The squad of best are and the nation’s maiden two wins over New Zealand and that 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam have sent expectations.
Greatest has accepted Ireland were going to come after that concealing under fire and was composed enough to stave off criticism of his own captaincy after a bad showing at Twickenham.
“Because we didn’t perform anywhere near well enough against England you might argue that we caused it to ourselves,” said Best.
“If you set a top bar and then don’t reach it draws a little bit of warmth and focus .
“As a team we’d said’we’ll get it right in the World Cup’.
“When you say that and then you’re patchy enough against Italy – good sometimes but patchy overall – and then go and play that against England, you are going to draw attention.
“You are never as good as people say you are, but the good thing is, you are never as bad . You’ll always sit in the middle.
“So we did not get too carried away following the England match, and we’ll not get too carried away today.”
Ireland have won six of the past meetings against Scotland however, Fraser Brown doesn’t believe a win for Gregor Townsend’s guys would count as an early World Cup jolt.
“It will not be a surprise [when we win],” explained the Scotland hooker.
“The last few years, Scotland-Ireland games have been very physical, very intense.
“The set-piece battle will probably be enormous, which will the battle of the defences. Thus getting our defence set up and slowing down them in the breakdown will be key ireland will hold onto the ball for long lengths of time.
“But we’re a fantastic enough team to contend with them and win.”

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