Joey Carbery feels Ireland's slow start is what ultimately cost them as their Six Nations hopes faltered with a defeat away to France on Saturday.
Ireland were 10-0 down inside seven minutes and never truly recovered, despite a spirited second-half fightback that briefly had them within a point of Les Blues.
The Athy man has been involved in the international set-up for five years but this was his first Six Nations start after Johnny Sexton pulled up injured in midweek.
And the Munster out-half did as much as he could, landing all his kicks for a personal tally of nine points, but it wasn't enough to prevent France running out 30-24 winners.
"I'm absolutely gutted. I feel like we probably didn't start quick enough and let them into the game," Carbery told Virgin Media after the game.
"They kicked their goals, they played really well and they took their chances, so we'll just have to recupe and look back on it.
"I think [they imposed their physicality]. We knew that from the start. They're extremely physical and they probably sucked us in and got us on the outside a few times."
Ireland were under pressure from the first whistle as France began at a furious tempo and crossed the line after barely a minute through captain Antoine Dupont.
Mack Hansen scored a virtuoso try to bring Ireland back within three points early on, but France's breakdown physicality overwhelmed Ireland on the night.
They trailed by 15 points early in the second half but, despite tries from Josh van der Flier and Jamison Gibson-Park taking it within one, they let the momentum slip.
He added: "It's disappointing whenever we lose. We're absolutely gutted but there's huge positives we can take from, that we fought back really well.
"The belief in this team is there, so we'll learn from this and get better. We know how good this team can be. We just need to believe in ourselves.
"We just need to take our learnings from today, improve every day, and go and try and do our best in the next three games and see where it brings us."
Carbery defended captain James Ryan's decision to go for the posts with seven minutes remaining and bring the game within three points.
Ireland were well on top at that point and a converted try would have seen the visitors lead for the first time, but the decision was made to take the points and cede possession.
He said: "The thinking was we got it back to three points so if we score a try or we get a shot at goal then we bring it up.
"I think it was completely the right call at the time. A few things then didn't go our way afterwards but that's just it. Rugby can swing different ways sometimes."
The former Leinster out-half and product of Athy RFC expressed his pride at making his Six Nations debut in spite of the disappointing outcome.
"That was my first start in the Six Nations, a loud place to come and against a really strong team, so we'll look back on it and learn from it, but gutted at the result.
"It means so much to me. Obviously I've been involved in this environment for a while, but to get my first start is an incredibly proud day for me and my family.
"I loved being out there. I loved being with the guys around me - they're some of my best mates - and I love playing in this team and we believe in ourselves."
