Johnny Sexton still vividly recalls the pain his Ireland team felt as they left Cardiff a year ago with their Triple Crown and Grand Slam dream in tatters.
Yesterday, it was Wales' turn to feel that hurt.
The reigning champions are in that position now, and it is Ireland's turn to dream big again on the back of their winning bonus point display at the Aviva Stadium.
However Sexton is all too aware that the Grand Slam dream at least could be shattered as soon as next Saturday in Paris.
"I can't tell you how demoralising it is," said the Ireland skipper.
"Last year you go back to the first game and you're sitting in the dressing room with nothing to show for all your efforts.
"Triple Crown gone, Grand Slam gone, up against it to win a championship.
"That's what we're most pleased about. Like Andy has said, we feel there was plenty of stuff to brush up on for next week because France away is arguably one of the biggest tests in world rugby.
"We need to be at our best and learn lessons from today, even in victory. I think we did that well in November and hopefully we continue in that vein."
Ireland scored four tries - Garry Ringrose's well-taken effort on the hour wrapped up the extra point.
But Sexton and Ireland boss Andy Farrell will be honest about this performance in the review.
Having got off to a flyer with Bundee Aki's second minute try, Ireland were in the dominant mode that made November such a special three-Test series.
But Sexton was off-target with two penalties and, after he chipped over a third from close range in the 21st minute, the home side allowed the game to become scrappy.
For injury-hit Wales who never got out of first gear, it was welcome relief.
Sexton and Farrell know there can't be a repeat at the Stade de France, although it was better in the third period.
Conway was at his predatory best in scoring the third try in the 44th minute, somehow getting the ball down on the line from Sexton's chip.
Josh Adams, frustrated after his move from the wing to centre failed to work out, should have been red-carded for his shoulder-first tackle on Sexton five minutes later.
But referee Jaco Peyper initially didn't think the incident warranted another look, then eventually showed Adams the yellow card.
Ireland made Wales pay with Conway's second try, followed by Ringrose's effort.
James Ryan turned the ball over on Wales' 10m line and Ringrose raced onto Aki's perfect pass.
With Conway outside the centre, Liam Williams couldn't commit to the tackle and the Leinster centre sailed through.
Sexton played on until the 64th minute, in time for Ireland to take a 29-0 lead, before making way for Joey Carbery on his return to action after elbow surgery in early December.
Farrell happily emptied the bench in the final quarter with next weekend in mind, and with Wales doing the same the game became disjointed again.
A mistake by Tadhg Beirne gifted Wales flanker Taine Basham a try that prevented a first whitewash for the Welsh in this fixture since 1970, but it was a day for the visitors to forget - and one for debutant Mack Hansen to never forget.
"I've been really, really impressed with him," admitted Sexton. "He's a good guy, which is the most important thing.
"He has bedded in really well with the group. And his performance speaks for itself.
"He's got a game that's made for international rugby so hopefully he continues to grow with us. It's a great start for him."
And so to Paris.
"There's always been confidence in the group, even when times were low after the first two games of the Six Nations last year," said Sexton.
"We weren't too far away and thankfully we turned things around results-wise, but you're never confident about going over to Paris because it's a hard place to go.
"When you are confident in the group and confident that if we play our very best, we can win.
"That's what we need to get out of ourselves this week, get our prep right, look after ourselves recovery-wise, and put our best performance out there to see where it gets us."
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