After a week that began on a sour note following four provincial defeats and the loss of Shane Horgan to injury, Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan and his backroom team greeted media this morning with admirable candour.
Most of his charges arrived for duty on Monday morning "a bit down in mouth" but "they're wearing Irish hats at the moment", according to O'Sullivan, and after a good week's training the mood in camp is certainly more upbeat.
But there remains a worry over Malcolm O'Kelly's knee injury. The second row was included in the 24-man squad on Wednesday but so too was cover option Mick O'Driscoll who may yet be required.
O'Sullivan is still no clearer on the Leinster man's situation. "We have to wait until next week to see how he is responding," he said today.
The prognosis is better for hookers Frankie Sheahan and Rory Best, neither of whom are causing O'Sullivan undue concern despite respective calf strains.
This was also the week the squad got to see their new home - albeit their temporary one - and O'Sullivan is satisfied with the Croke Park pitch, likening it to the France's pride and joy in Saint Denis.
"It was fine," he said. "It was very firm turf but it can take a stud. I would compare it to the Stade de France pitch, it's very similar.
"The lights are excellent. It's a great pitch and I'm very happy with it."
Kicking coach Mark Tainton was also quick to endorse the turf having put Ronan O'Gara et al through their paces during the week.
Niall O'Donovan has no worries about his end of things despite the Munster pack coming in for a bit of criticism after defeat to Leicester at the weekend.
"We do have the bulk of the Munster pack but it's a different level playing against Wales, playing against France," Ireland's forwards coach said this morning.
"We struggled at times in the scrum there is no doubt about that. Lineout, last week, was a concern at times but overall the Munster lineout is a good lineout. A lot of the provinces have fairly decent lineouts.
"We'll tweak a few things for next week and I'm sure everything will be okay. I wouldn't be overly concerned about it anyway."
Defensive coach Graham Steadman described his week's work as "very, very solid". The former rugby league international said the side need to "expect the unexpected" when playing in Cardiff on Sunday week, but is confident by then he will have covered all eventualities.
