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Head coach Andy Farrell says there must be "zero excuses" from Ireland during the rest of their autumn campaign after Saturday's defeat by New Zealand in Chicago.
In Farrell's first game back after leading the British and Irish Lions in the summer, Ireland lost 26-13 to the All Blacks after leading 13-7 with 20 minutes left at Soldier Field despite Tadhg Beirne's controversial third-minute red card.
Before Chicago, much had been made about the lack of minutes several Ireland players had in their legs since the Lions.
"There's zero excuses from here on," Farrell said after suffering a third straight loss to New Zealand.
"I get all you guys talking, it's just common sense isn't it, what you're talking about as far as match sharpness and the start of the season and all of that, but that's been and gone now, we need to buckle down."
He added: "If we can't stand up to that challenge, then we shouldn't be here anyway."
Ireland returned to Chicago hoping to emulate the famous 2016 win over the All Blacks at Soldier Field.
And while the history and emotion attached to the occasion made it "hurt a little bit more" for Farrell, he remains confident his side can bounce back in the remaining November Tests against Japan, Australia and South Africa in Dublin.
"We know how important the autumn is to us, particularly this next game now," added Farrell, whose side regrouped from an opening autumn loss to the All Blacks last year to beat Argentina, Fiji and Australia.
"It becomes really important if you look at the significance of world ranking points and all that, playing against a side like Japan, it becomes massively important so it's about being honest with each other and making sure that we learn from that.
"You can talk about any type of journey. There's always going to be ups and downs. It's how you learn from the disappointments properly that will catch you and kick you on."
Whether or not Farrell makes wholesale changes for Japan's visit to Aviva Stadium on Saturday (12:40 GMT) remains to be seen.
One of the Englishman's big calls for the All Blacks game was Jack Crowley's selection at fly-half, having lost his place to Sam Prendergast 12 months ago.
Crowley endured a mixed afternoon against New Zealand, booting over eight points and showing some nice imagination in attack before conceding a crucial penalty on 60 minutes that helped turn the game in the All Blacks' favour.
"I though he controlled the game pretty well," said Farrell.
"Accuracy and a few bits [could be improved], but good decision-making. The crossfield kick into touch, I said to him at half-time, 'good decision'.
"It was just execution. I thought he tactically played the game pretty well. He'll be better for it."
Farrell also praised Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey, who was forced off in the second half with a groin injury having impressed in his first appearance against the All Blacks.
"He went very well. He was a handful, wasn't he? It was a shame that he came off with a bit of a groin soreness.
"How that develops, we'll wait and see but he had a strong game."
