Jack Conan said the gutsy Six Nations win at Murrayfield was one of Irish rugby's most special days.
Ireland lost their two hookers Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher, classy no. 8 Caelan Doris, second row Iain Henderson and centre Gary Ringrose to injury.
But they still emerged with a 22-7 victory to leave themselves one win away from Grand Slam glory.
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They were down three top forwards after 25 minutes, llanker Josh van der Flier took over lineout throwing duties in the second half and Cian Healy came into the middle of the front row but Ireland still won the half 14-0.
“It’s such a testament to the belief that we ourselves in the squad have in each other, the management has in us," said Conan, who was outstanding as Doris' thirteenth minute replacement.
"We spoke during the week about adversity, about what happened here a few years ago, rocking up a few minutes late and we said ‘no excuses’.
“Faz spoke during the week about rocking up 10 minutes before the game and getting the job done.
"We could have walked off the bus and played and it wouldn’t have mattered to us.
"It’s such a testament to how mentally strong the lads are, the resolve they have and that the coaches have fortified within us.
"To lose both hookers, two world-class players, to lose one of the best back rowers in the world, one of the best second rowers in the world in Iain Henderson in the first 20 minutes.
"I don’t know how many teams can bounce back from that and put on the performance we did.
“We were not great at times. I felt when I came on at the start I was a little bit sluggish and slow in some of my contacts but it was one of best days I’ve ever been involved in with this Irish squad.
"It’s an unbelievable group of lads and to win here is just so special after everything we went through in that 80 minutes."
Conan and his colleagues can now look forward to a showdown with England at the Aviva Stadium next Saturday in the knowledge that a fifth win in this championship will achieve a feat only managed by three other Ireland teams in the history of the tournament.
“If you were going to write it, it doesn’t get much better than that," the 30-year-old said.
"Look, there is obviously a lot of things we need to get better at before next week.
"England will be disappointed with how they went yesterday against France, I’ve no doubt they will bounce back and be better.
"We’ll need to be better than we were today as well at stages.
“There are a lot of sore bodies, a lot of boys need to recover and get right.
"We’ve a shorter turnaround, the first thing is we’ve got to make sure we’re physically ready to go at five o’clock.
"But everyone is excited. What a special day."
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