Captain Caelan Doris says Ireland are determined to atone for a disappointing end to last year's Six Nations, starting with next week's tournament opener against holders France.
Ireland beat England, Scotland and Wales to secure the 2025 Triple Crown before their bid for a third successive title fell apart in a hugely demoralising 42-27 loss to France in Dublin.
While Ireland endured a mixed autumn campaign that included losses to New Zealand and South Africa, Doris says the squad are targeting a statement win over Les Bleus in the Thursday night curtain-raiser at Stade de France.
"The way the fixtures fell last year we obviously had the Triple Crown after three games and it was the last two games that let us down," the 27-year-old Leinster back row told the BBC.
"We obviously won in Rome but the nature of the performance wasn't where we would have liked it and having lost to France the week before, it left a bit of a sour taste in the mouth.
"So there's excitement for upping the performances and getting the results we're after from the start this year."
Doris, who has made 23 Six Nations appearances, will lead Ireland out against a France side shorn of some high-profile players.
While fit-again captain Antoine Dupont is back, head coach Fabien Galthie opted not to select France's all-time top try-scorer Damian Penaud, veteran centre Gael Fickou and back row Gregory Alldritt, who skippered the side in Dupont's absence last year.
Having faced Alldritt on several occasions for both club and country, Doris admits he was surprised by the 28-year-old's omission.
"If you look at the Top 14 week in, week out, there's so many quality players at the top level, they've got an abundance of talent to choose from," added Doris.
"I was surprised Alldritt wasn't in it. I obviously faced him and La Rochelle a few weeks ago. I rate him very highly but they've got quality across the back row and I'm sure [Anthony] Jelonch will represent the eight shirt very well.
"It's always a big threat playing against France, especially away from home at a hostile place like Stade de France, so looking forward to it."
