'Seconds from title but Ireland can take positives'

Of course, Ireland would not have been in position to win silverware on Saturday had it not been for the performances of Farrell's seasoned Test animals and the crop of emerging talent.

Over the past 12 months, Farrell has fielded numerous questions about an ageing squad in need of fresh blood.

But to the coach's credit, he has started to address it. Several of the 35 players Farrell used across the five games point to the future.

Jamie Osborne, 24, started all five games at full-back and had a superb tournament while deputising for Keenan.

Farrell also handed debuts to Edwin Edogbo (23) and Nathan Doak (24), while 24-year-old Darragh Murray staked his claim for a starting second-row role in the future with a try-scoring Six Nations debut.

But perhaps Ireland's championship was defined by players seizing a long-awaited chance.

Tommy O'Brien scored three tries in as many games. Nick Timoney, 30, made a huge impression.

Rob Baloucoune, who has added electrifying pace to Ireland's backline, ended a breakout championship with three tries and the Rising Player award.

Erstwhile tight-head prop Tom O'Toole has been reborn at loose-head.

Then there is Stuart McCloskey. Having spent much of his Test career down the pecking order, his buccaneering performances in midfield have been a joy to behold.

The ever-present Ulsterman led Ireland in carries (74), offloads (eight), try assists (six), defenders beaten (20) and post-contact metres (105).

"We saw another amazing finish from him today," Farrell said on Saturday of Baloucoune, who hadn't played for Ireland since 2022 before the Italy game.

"Similar to Stu [McCloskey], to deliver and go on to the next one and be consistently good is hard to do at this level when it's new to you, and he has grown massively in confidence."

Several of Farrell's most trusted on-field lieutenants have stepped up, too. James Ryan was excellent before injury ruled him out of the Scotland game, while Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier have looked rejuvenated.

Captain Caelan Doris led by example against Scotland delivering comfortably his best performance since returning from shoulder surgery last year.