Ireland won't be complacent against injury-hit Wales - Johnny Sexton

Johnny Sexton says complacency will not be an issue for Ireland in this Saturday's Six Nations opener against Wales [live on RTÉ2].

While Wales come into the game as defending champions, they do so in the midst of a lengthy injury list, with Alun Wyn Jones, George North, Leigh Halfpenny, Ken Owens, Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau among those ruled out of the start of the tournament.

However, there were similar clouds over Welsh rugby ahead of the championship 12 months ago, when Wayne Pivac's side were without a number of frontline players, as well as struggling for form, before a win against Ireland in Cardiff on the opening weekend sparked their run to the title.

Speaking from their training base in Portugal, Ireland captain Sexton insisted they won't be swayed by Wales' inexperience.

"We haven't spoken too much about who they're missing; we've spoken about who they've got.

"They played November with a lot of the same injuries and picked up some good results and good performances. They had some injuries in the Six Nations last year and ended up winning it.

"We haven't spoken about it too much; we're just preparing to play against a very good Welsh team that's had a great run of form over the last year. We see a big tough test ahead, and that's what we're playing for."

When pressed about whether or not Ireland should be favourites, the Ireland captain added it would be disrespectful to Wales for Ireland to think like that.

"I'm not going to say that, because then I'm insulting the guys coming in, and the guys coming are excellent players. The guys who are injured have big reputations because they played multiple tests for their country and performed week in and week out.

"The guys coming in are at the start of