Johnny Sexton: Ireland ready for 'the best team in the world'

Johnny Sexton says Ireland must play on their own terms when the world champions South Africa come to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

The opening game of the Bank of Ireland Nations Series sees Ireland host the Springboks for their first meeting in five years, and less than 12 months out from facing off in Pool B of the Rugby World Cup in France.

When the Springboks last came to Dublin in 2017, they were handsomely beaten 38-3, but a remarkable turnaround saw them defy the odds and win their third World Cup just two years later.

Ireland come into the game on top of the world rankings, courtesy of their series win in New Zealand in the summer, but Sexton says it counts for little when South Africa have the title that really matters.

"Honestly, it's not something we talk about that much. It's not a goal to become No 1 in the world," he said.

"That might sound stupid, in some sports it is, like golf or tennis but in rugby the rankings matter once, and it's like three years out from the World Cup when they matter, which doesn't make that much sense either.

"To be No 1 in the world, you need to win the World Cup, that's where the goals are.

"I don't think too many teams read too much into it, I know the other teams will probably refer to us now [as world No 1], trying to put pressure on us, but we don't speak about it."

While South Africa were inconsistent during the Rugby Championship earlier this year, they bring with them a pack unlike any Ireland have faced in Andy Farrell's time in charge, with the now famous 'Bomb Squad' in reserve on the replacements bench.

And Sexton says Ireland have to be prepared to play the game on their own terms, rather than getting sucked into an arm-wrestle.

"Obviously we have to give them the respect