Looking at Ireland most recent Six Nations campaign, it was notable just how well the team started the championship.
Andy Farrell's side played some sensational rugby during the opening game against France, utterly dominating in Marseille in game that many expected them to lose. They would go on to look very impressive in the next couple of fixtures against Italy and Wales.
Ireland could not quite keep that pace going over the last couple of games, losing to England and not playing their best in the win over Scotland. Still, it was enough to secure a second successive Six Nations title.
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Rugby: Paul O'Connell explains Ireland advantage over other teams
It is probably not a coincidence that Ireland played their best rugby early on in this year's Six Nations. Whereas other teams came into the championship lacking a bit of cohesion, the Irish side immediately hit the ground running.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Paul O'Connell explained why Ireland hold an advantage over other teams early on in tournaments.
One of the things that makes it easier from an Ireland and Leinster and provincial perspective is the continuity you have in terms of the coaching.
There isn't a big change in how you play from one to the other. Leinster play pretty much the same way for a long time now. Ireland have played the same way for a long time now.
It shows. Ireland in general in the last few years have been very good in how we start tournaments. You might only have 12 days before you play your first game. It shows the players are good at being able to switch from one to the other.
This certainly makes sense.
With such a large proportion of the Irish rugby squad coming from Leinster, it is fair to assume that it should take them less time to blend in comparison to nations that are drawing players from far more club teams.
That is something they will hope to use to their advantage once again this summer during the tour to South Africa.
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