It’s been nine years since Ireland Under-20s last won a Six Nations title and they have never before won a Grand Slam at this age group.
They did complete the clean sweep back in 2007, but that was when it was still an Under-21 Championship.
But Noel McNamara’s class of 2019 had already secured the title with a game to spare and broke new ground at this level in Colwyn Bay on Friday night.
At their new home in Cork – switching this season from Donnybrook – Ireland Under-20s have seen off both England and France, traditional powerhouses at age group level. Added to that, they have travelled to Scotland, Italy and now Wales, coming away with wins on each occasion.
This team has been something of a contradiction, 11 players have started all five games, including an unchanged pack throughout, and yet it has been their ability to cope with injuries to key players that has been just as crucial to their success.
Harry Byrne, brother of Leinster and Ireland fly-half Ross, was expected to be a key figure this year in his second season at this level and was key to the wins over England, Scotland and Italy.
Yet when he dropped out against France, Ben Healy shone in his place, and he did the same against Wales.
Ireland have also lost centre and captain David Hawkshaw for the season. The Leinster academy youngster plumped for rugby over hurling, and set the tone in the centres until a knee injury ended his campaign.
His absence has not stopped their charge, with Sean French outstanding against Les Bleuets in a 31-29 victory.
And even diminutive scrum-half Craig Casey has been in and out with injury, making a big impact in every game he has played including a double in the 34-14 win over Italy in Round Three.
For all that those who have come in have made the difference, a lot of credit must go to the pack, a group of eight players who have coped with every challenge presented to them.
Whether it was England’s hugely experienced pack in Round One, or defending world champions France in Round Four, the young Irish side have enjoyed more than parity at scrum-time and in the battle of the breakdown.
It has started with the front row, hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin helped himself to a double in the opener – a 35-27 win over England – grabbing five tries in total. Prop Josh Wycherley imitated his effort against England with two tries in Round Four.
Just as importantly, they have not taken a backward step in the set-piece, creating the platform for the rest of the side.
As well as that front row, Ireland have also been able to call upon the services of Scott Penny, the latest Leinster back-rower off the talent conveyor belt.
The flanker already has four first-team appearances for Leinster and has been a menace at the breakdown at age-group level.
He already seems ready for senior rugby and after the likes of Max Deegan and Caelan Doris in previous seasons, he should be a key figure in Leinster’s future.
The performance of that pack has given the backs the chance to impress, with a trio featuring in every game so far. Winger Jonathan Wren, full-back Jake Flannery and outside centre Liam Turner have been ever-presents in this Championship.
Wren looks to be the latest devastating threat out wide, following in the footsteps of the likes of Jordan Larmour and Jacob Stockdale. Ireland will hope he can make the step up in a similar manner to those 2018 Grand Slam champions, with his try against Scotland in the 24-5 win in Round Two particularly eye-catching.
Flannery, meanwhile, offers a playmaking threat from full-back, able to slot in at ten where required to relieve pressure and even kicked at goal in the final 26-17 success in Colwyn Bay.
Turner, meanwhile, faces the most daunting of comparisons. When your predecessors in the No.13 jersey at Blackrock College include Garry Ringrose and of course Brian O’Driscoll, it is hard to avoid the comparisons.
Matching their feats will not be easy, but Turner has been a rock in the midfield for Ireland in this campaign.
A Grand Slam puts this team in rarefied territory, matching the 2007 vintage. If this crop can produce as many established internationals as that team then Ireland will be in a very strong position indeed.
After all, Cian Healy, Keith Earls and Sean O’Brien are still going strong in the senior side. But for injury, Felix Jones probably would have been too.
If the class of 2019 produce a trio of British & Irish Lions and a handful more internationals, then the future for Ireland will be very bright. For now, they can revel in the glory of a magnificent Grand Slam.
