Ireland's inability to even remotely reproduce the magnificence of the English match merely confirms the four-game performance cycle they have become entrenched in during the Eddie O'Sullivan era.

They should still win in Rome but unless they can break the habit of only reaching peak standard every four to five games, the points differential required to overcome France and win the Six Nations title will not be achieved.

The lack of celebration by the players as they posed for the Triple Crown pictures, and wise decision not to perform a lap of honour, showed how much it really meant.

The real issue was not acquiring silverware but the dramatic drop in collective performance levels. It has now become a predictable and almost inevitable trait; especially considering the team's history and the hype generated by the Croke Park experience.

Ireland, unlike the world's best team, New Zealand, can only perform when the stakes are raised. The All Blacks can travel to South Africa and Australia within a week and maintain their high standards.

This flaw will see Ireland exposed come the World Cup and maybe even next Saturday. Remember, many a Caesar has been distracted by the splendour of the Eternal City.

Scotland can be commended for their bravery at Murrayfield but that is not why it was a one-point game. Complimenting the Scots does not hide the fact Ireland are currently unable to produce quality displays back-to-back.

There should have been a 20-point margin at the final whistle.

Scotland will continue to fall away from the other major rugby nations if they continue to ignore the essential high-performance work required to progress long term.

SRU president Andy Irvine has admitted to the huge problems in the current structures but only after a full World Cup cycle has been squandered. Misinformation has led to the sidelining of educational and infrastructural development.

Urgent action is now required as Irvine was aware of the problems in 2004 - the SRU chairman, CEO and coach all advocated major change then but instead they were removed from their posts. Sad that it is only publicly acknowledged now.

The high percentage kicking return of Chris Paterson has been responsible for keeping Scotland in touch for a number of seasons. The kicking guru Mick Byrne, an Aussie, was responsible for re-styling Paterson's technique but Byrne was not considered good enough to be retained by the SRU. He is now the All Black kicking coach.

From an Irish perspective a one-point margin of victory is calamitous. Granted, they were unlucky at times, be it a final pass not going to hand, but it still comes back to a firmly established performance pattern. Also, the foundation laid up front wasn't solid enough for the vastly superior backs to do real damage.

A mental block exists for any fixture against France or New Zealand and away to Scotland. If it cannot be conquered, Ireland will not progress to a more advanced, consistent level.

There were two goals for 2007. The first was to win the Grand Slam. Failure. The second is to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. If Ireland lose to France in Paris, but still make the quarter-finals by overcoming Argentina, New Zealand will be waiting at the Millennium Stadium.

Ireland can still make the semi-finals, and at that stage any remaining team can win the World Cup, but a few home truths need to be faced before that becomes a reality.

The consistency of high performance required for Ireland to remain a top-three rugby nation in the world is not being maintained.

Like the Scotland game, Ireland will be expected to have 20 points to spare over Italy. Anything less and it is France's title again.

There were positives on Saturday that will be crucial in Rome. The usual individuals made substantial contributions. Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll repeatedly exposed a poor Scottish midfield. Paul O'Connell was immense. Ronan O'Gara, although occasionally shaky, produced when it really mattered. Denis Hickie's running down of Paterson was also a vital intervention.

And still, the collective display was some way below the expected impact. They never looked like losing yet only won by a single point. Doesn't sound right does it?

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them," said Albert Einstein. Ireland must change the mindset - starting next Saturday.