Johnny Sexton says Ireland will face the toughest opposition they could have got in the World Cup quarter-finals in New Zealand.
The Ireland skipper was able to call it a night after 45 minutes as Ireland coasted into the last eight with a facile 36-14 victory over Scotland in their final Pool B game.
Sexton, 38, drank in the atmosphere after the final whistle, but quickly turned his attention to what's ahead at the same Stade de France venue against the All Blacks next Saturday night.
READ MORE:Ireland 36-14 Scotland recap and result as quarter-final date with All-Blacks awaits
"I thought it wouldn't get any better after South Africa a couple of weeks ago but they have proved me wrong again, it's incredible, they keep turning up for us and it is important that we keep turning up for them," Sexton said.
"Last week they gave us the best day of our life and we gave them something similar if you look around at some of the faces.
"We are delighted to win the pool, but we know this is where we want to be now in a quarter-final against the toughest opposition we could get.
"The way the draw was made three years ago it turned out a bit unfair but it is the hand that we were dealt and we have to be ready for New Zealand next week."
Sexton also outlined what makes this Ireland side tick under Andy Farrell as they celebrated a record-extending 17th Test victory on the spin.
"I think we're given the trust by the management to go and enjoy ourselves and our time off so when we come back to work we're refreshed and we're excited to come back to work," said Sexton.
"Sometimes we live on the edge, sometimes we go a bit too far, I think we were criticised for celebrating after the South Africa game - we were allowed, Faz trusts us, we train well and the fans trusted us."
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