Craig Breen relishing curious case of snowy Sweden challenge

Craig Breen says he's not feeling the pressure ahead of Rally Sweden where an opportunity has opened up to improve on the podium finish he achieved in the 2022 World Rally Championship opening round.

Waterford native Breen and co-driver Paul Nagle started their first full WRC campaign with an impressive third place in Monte Carlo in mid-January.

But the two drivers who finished first and second last time out, multiple world champions Sebastien Loeb - Breen's M Sport team-mate - and Sebastien Ogier, will be absent in Sweden, opening the door for the Irishman to potentially contend for a victory.

"Honestly, I've tried not to give it too much thought," said Breen of the possibility and the pressure that will naturally come with it.

"I don't think I could have had any more pressure than what I had in Monte [Carlo], when we were stepping up to the hills on the Thursday evening and then deep into the rally and I think with everything that went on before the event - having the accident and the testing - and the 10 years of waiting to get to that point.

"But we're not at that point this weekend. I'm feeling more relaxed and obviously I got the podium there. It definitely took the pressure away and honestly just can't wait to get going now and enjoy the rally."

The Sweden event brings the added challenge of starting closer to the front in the snow but it's one that Breen is looking forward to.

"It's something that I'm relishing. I've never had to do it before on a Friday of Rally Sweden," he said to RTÉ Sport's John Kenny.

"I've listened to the others leading the championship for the last couple of years complain about it and I've always had the fortune of starting further back but this is the joys of getting a full season. We start to