Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has insisted that the team's status as the best in the world is not important heading into this year's Six Nations.
Andy Farrell's side go into the tournament as the bookmakers' favourites to lift the title for the first time since 2018, having enjoyed a memorable 2022 which saw them ascend to the top of the world rankings as well as securing their first-ever series win in New Zealand.
Ireland are also among the favourites to go all the way at this year's World Cup in France, but Sexton does not believe that having a target on their back as the leading team in the game throws up any extra pressure for the players.
When asked whether the mentality or approach had changed as favourites, Sexton told Sports Mole: "No, not really. We played in November with that target on our back.
"People wanted to beat us and we got three good results, so we've sort of had a bit of experience with dealing with it. Our focus will be on trying to beat what we did last year at the Six Nations, trying to win the tournament - that's what every country is going in to try to do.
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"Where we rank in the world, I think the world rankings are not something you ever talk about as players - I'd much rather win the Six Nations and be fifth or sixth in the world than be number one.
"It doesn't really matter for us - maybe it matters for some of the younger guys as they'll get a World Cup draw for four years' time, but for us it doesn't matter."
Ireland won the Triple Crown during last year's tournament but missed out on the biggest prize courtesy of their defeat to France, who are ranked just behind them in second place in the world.
Farrell's men begin their 2023 Six Nations campaign away to Wales on Saturday, February 4, before a tantalising showdown with France in Dublin one week later.
Ireland then have a week off before concluding the tournament with games against Italy and Scotland away, and then England at home on successive weekends.
Barney Corkhill
