The Irish eased past Georgia at Lansdowne Road with a 63-14 victory which, added to last week's win in Russia, has booked their place in Australia.

Ireland attracted some criticism after producing three rather patchy performances against lesser opposition, including an opening friendly win over Romania.

But O'Sullivan was nevertheless happy with a job well done.

''We came into early season with three internationals to play and that was fairly unusual,'' said O'Sullivan.

"We've won the three games and scored a fair few points although the opposition were weak.

''But the mission was to book our tickets to Australia and we've done that and we're very happy about it.

''That's chapter one of the season closed, done and dusted."

"I was happy to get the win and very happy with the first half when I thought we were very professional.

''However, in the second half we came off the boil a little bit.

"At half-time we talked a bit about not doing that, but I think it was fatigue that hit them again, the sting in the tail from the trip to Krasnoyarsk.

"We lost our shape in the second half and they played a lot better as well.

''Georgia woke up and played, whereas they hadn't played well in the first half or we hadn't let them, I'm not sure which.

"Again, near the end of the game and when we had got some fresh legs on the pitch, we were able to pick up the tempo of the game and we finished the game stronger."

Now O'Sullivan is relieved to see his players turn their attention to the Heineken Cup for October before reconvening in November for internationals against Australia, Fiji and Argentina.

"Fatigue has set in already but we've travelled 6,000 miles to play this game; Georgia didn't travel that far.

"So you have to put it into context. I know we would have liked to have gone out and put another 40 points in the second half.

''We didn't do that and we'd have to be disappointed with that. I think we have to take the good out of it though and not be pessimistic."