Video: This is a huge step for us, claims Lancaster

Given an England team under his charge eviscerated world champions New Zealand just 14 months ago, it is quite a claim.

But for the manner of Saturday’s comeback victory, its context in the Six Nations championship and the calibre of opponents they were playing, it left Lancaster in no doubt of its importance.

“I think it’s right up there because of the quality of the Ireland team, their experience and their cohesion,” said the head coach.

“We really rate their coaching team, plus they were confident after two really good wins coming into this game.

“So it was a tight game, a proper Test match, and I’m just delighted to come out on top.

“It’s a huge step we’ve taken because of the quality of the opposition. Having gone behind, we showed tremendous character from 50 minutes out and it was mainly our intent and our attacking ambition that created that try.

“I thought we closed the game out really well and our defence the last five minutes was phenomenal.

“Overall, the character of the performance was the abiding memory for me.

“I think subconsciously it will give the players an inner confidence. Not that it ever wavered after losing the France game or the New Zealand game, but it’s nice to have the direction we are going reinforced by that performance.”

England’s win sets up a mouthwatering reunion with Wales at Twickenham in 13 days with both teams buoyed by big wins this weekend that thrust them back into the Six Nations title race.

Wales’ convincing victory over England in Cardiff last year will dominate the build-up, but Lancaster and his players are refusing to get distracted by the past.

Nor do they want to let the back-slapping following Saturday’s win affect their preparation.

“It’s a performance we’ll look back to beyond the championship but we can’t dwell on it too long, we’ve got to enjoy the moment and move on to the Wales game, because there’s two big games still to come,” said Lancaster, whose side finish in Rome against Italy.

“Wales are a different challenge defensively, they play a different system and beat us fair and square last year, so there’s plenty to work on.

“They’ve got threats all over the park. On the back of the confidence that win over France will give them, they’ll be highly motivated.”