Rory Best column

Rory Best Ireland hooker

We knew it was important to get off to a winning start against Italy, so from that point of view it was job done.

But, of course, you would always like to play better.

International rugby is a big step-up in intensity from the club game... you have to make instant choices and you are going to get hit a lot harder

We certainly know we have been in a game. Joining up with the other players for a pool session on Sunday morning, there were a few sore bodies.

But, apart from Gordon D'Arcy's broken arm, it is a case of bumps and bruises.

I spoke to Gordon to commiserate with him after the match. He is disappointed but accepts injuries are part and parcel of the game.

Our coach, Eddie O'Sullivan, told us we had left a lot of tries out on the pitch but said the important thing was to start the championship with a win.

Against Italy, chances are few and far between - and you have to take them when you get them.

Gone are the days when you are going to create a lot of opportunities and convert them - and just one clean line break or moment of genius at the death could have taken the game away from us.

We will look at the performance in greater detail on Monday. That is when we will analyse the match on video and look at the things we have to work on as well as pick out the things we did well.

Our line-outs were a bit rusty - and the first half was disappointing in that regard.

The communication channels were not quite right and Italy competed well. Calls were made and players were not getting them, but that will come right.

We have to look at how we can improve mentally and get our campaign rolling

There were periods in the game when we were getting perfect ball and our backs were looking dangerous.

Then came a period when we were struggling to get clean ruck ball.

It was disappointing how we let the Italians start up their maul and get moving forward.

What we need to do is keep our tempo going for the whole 80 minutes - or as close to that as we can.

I was not concerned about being replaced in the second half. You have to remember I have not played a lot of rugby since Boxing Day because of an ankle injury.

So why not give Bernard Jackman 20 minutes. I felt I had a bit more in me, but, in terms of match fitness, I had only played for 60 minutes against Gloucester prior to the game against the Italians.

Italy pushed Ireland all the way

I was starting to feel it a bit in my legs, so it was a good thing to get Bernard on. There is always the possibility of making a silly error when you are tired.

In any case, international rugby is a big step-up in intensity from the club game.

You do not have time to look up and make decisions. You have to make instant choices and you are going to get hit a lot harder.

It was Eddie's decision to bring me off and I had no problem with it.

I think it's a good thing to have competition for places as it drives you on. You push yourself harder in training because you know your rival is putting it in, too.

We are already busy looking ahead to our game in Paris.

Ireland's record in France is not good, but the French are going through changes.

Having said that, their new coach will be keen to win his first home match.

We must not worry about them. We have to look at how we can improve mentally and get our campaign rolling.

Rory Best was talking to BBC Sport NI's Lyle Jackson

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