Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has laughed off counterpart Eddie Jones' tongue-in-cheek comment that his England team have "no chance" in the Six Nations due to their injury issues.
Ireland beat England in Dublin last year to deny the eventual champions a grand slam and will now focus on preventing England winning a record third Six Nations crown in a row.
The two countries are expected to battle it out for the title once more but Schmidt declined to be drawn on the Australian's comments.
"It must be on the back of having 12 teams to select from and having so much time in camp," Schmidt said jokingly at the Six Nations launch on Wednesday.
"I have known Eddie for a long time and I know he is likely to throw a grenade in. It makes things interesting for people."
Every side coming into the competition have injury issues following a tough winter in club rugby.
However, Schmidt is focused on the players he has as opposed to who is not available.
"You can always reflect on who you are missing but (it's) important to focus on who you have got and that is who we are excited about," he said.
Ireland are without Garry Ringrose, Dave Kilcoyne and Sean O'Brien.
Three of Ireland's four provincial clubs have reached Euroepan quarter-finals this season, with Leinster and Munster progressing in the Champions Cup and in the Challenge Cup.
Captain Rory Best was cautiously optimistic that European form could bring momentum to the Irish in the Six Nations.
"I think at the top end Ireland have done brilliantly but you have to park that now. The momentum created by that is only useful if you direct it into the national team, so that is what we are focusing on," he said.
Ireland open their Six Nations campaign on February 3 against France, who they have beaten in four of their last five clashes, but Schmidt is wary of the threat posed by a young French side.
"How quickly can they gel? That is the challenge. I don't know how much homework people are doing on their young players but I am really impressed," he said.
Share
