Dublin destiny date thoughts for Six Nations title 'far beneath the surface'

Ireland will focus entirely on beating Italy but Jack Conan admits that the tantilising prospect of Ireland winning a Guinness Six Nations title in Dublin bubbles beneath the surface.

Having earned 10 points from opening wins against Wales and France, Ireland face a trip to Italy, where they have lost just once in the championship, in 2013.

Scotland, also two from two after beating England and Wales, await in round four and are never easy opponents but barring two losses in their next two games, Andy Farrell's team, ranked number one in the world, will be in the mix for some class of silverware by the time England come calling the day after St Patrick’s Day.

Ireland’s last two Grand Slams were picked up on the road, in Cardiff in 2009 and in London in 2018.

"I think it's quite far beneath the surface," the 30-year-old told RTÉ Sport.

"It is obviously exciting. [It is] such an exciting time to be in this organisation but our minds aren't in Dublin in four weeks time.

"We've got to go to Rome next against a vastly improved Italian team who in parts of the games really put it up to France and England.

"There are no easy games at this stage at this level so yeah, look, there are potentially exciting things down the line but we have to go to Rome next week and that's going to be a massive challenge for the 23 who get to go out there.

"We don't look too far ahead of ourselves."

Captain Johnny Sexton said in the aftermath of the 32-19 win over France last weekend that the team is intent on improving on last year's achievement, which came in the form of a triple crown.

That obviously means a title but the team is now in such a place, internally they will feel there’s a Grand Slam there for the taking.

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