Andrew Trimble feels a lack of intensity was to blame for Ireland's defeat to Wales and he has urged the squad to find it to ensure the Six Nations title dream does not fade.
Ireland have a tendency to start off slowly in tournaments but they have the ability to turn things around. This was demonstrated in the World Cup when Declan Kidney's struggled to beat the United States before destroying Australia a week later.
Trimble believes desperation is what drives Ireland on and he knows the team will have to show that in their remaining four matches to remain in the hunt for the championship.
"Against Wales it was maybe that desperation - it's a strange way to describe what it is we are looking for on the pitch - that's maybe what wasn't quite there, that intensity," Trimble explained.
"That intensity should be there no matter what. When you play England, it just happens naturally. When you play Italy or to be honest whenever you pull on a green shirt, it just should be there as naturally."
Defeat to Wales ended Ireland's hopes of winning the Triple Crown and another loss this weekend would leave Kidney's side in line for the wooden spoon.
"I just know from playing against Wales that something just wasn't there and it's really important that whatever that is, we have it this weekend," Trimble went on.
Ireland have not been helped by Brian O'Driscoll's injury with many of the players admitting that his presence has been missed in training and the dressing-room.
Trimble, however, refuses to believe that one player can make such a difference to the team.
"Brian's a loss, of course he is. Everybody knows what Brian brings to the game, his leadership, through what he says and what he does," he is quoted as saying in the Irish Daily Mirror.
"He has a massive impact on the game when he plays. But at the same time Earlsy (Keith Earls) is an outstanding player. He has serious, serious qualities, he's got great feet.
"That intensity that was lacking, I don't think you can put it down to one person."