Johnny Sexton says he's fully fit for this Sunday's Guinness Six Nations meeting with Scotland at Murrayfield (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), and believes Gregor Townsend's side are the best version of the Scots he's seen in his career.
The Ireland captain has trained fully in the last week after missing the Round 3 defeat to Italy because of a groin injury, and is expected to return to the number 10 shirt when Andy Farrell names his side tomorrow afternoon.
The 37-year-old can boast a formidable record in this fixture; in 14 meetings with them he's been beaten just twice, and has never lost a Six Nations game in Edinburgh, having missed out on the 2017 and 2013 losses in the Scottish capital due to injury.
Scotland's hopes of a Grand Slam were ended by France in the last round, but Townsend's side gained big confidence from the manner in which they fought back from 19-0 behind, getting back within one score of the defending champions before a late Gael Fickou try sealed France's win.
And Sexton says they're a side that have made huge strides in recent seasons.
"I would say it's definitely the best Scottish team I’ve ever played," Sexton said.
"I think some of the results show that, beating England regularly, beating France a few times, obviously beating Wales as well recently, so they’ve had some big wins over the last number of years and they’ve been building nicely.
"They’ve brought in a lot of new players over the last couple of years as well which has made the team stronger. So, it’s definitely the best, yeah."
While Ireland could potentially be crowned champions with a game to spare on Sunday evening, there's plenty on the line for Scotland even beyond points in the championship table.
A win for the home side would see them secure a first Triple Crown since 1999, and Sexton says that's something that has factored into Ireland's preparations.
"Yeah it’s something that we’re going to have to acknowledge because it’s going to make for a very special atmosphere over there I’m sure. It always is a very special atmosphere even if there was nothing on the line.
"But it’s a huge game now with them going for a Triple Crown and still in the championship, and us obviously in the championship and obviously wanting to try and win a Triple Crown ourselves.
"It’s a massive game, so its great to be a part of."
Sunday could also be a special day for Sexton personally, who needs just eight more points to become the Six Nations all-time leading points scorer.
The Irish skipper has 550 points in his 58 championship appearances, with Ronan O'Gara's record of 557 well within his sights in what are likely to be the final two Six Nations games of his career.
And while he says it would be a huge honour to become the record scorer, he'd be more than happy to go scoreless in the next two games if it meant Ireland secured a Grand Slam title.
"It's something that people say to you, or you see it on social media. Irish Rugby tagged me in something today, which I wasn't too happy about!
"It's there but I don't think it's going to add any pressure to me or anything like that. It's not something I ever set out to do.
"I'd rather not score another point and win a championship, win a Grand Slam, than get the points record. It doesn't bother me too much. If it comes, fantastic, but it's not something I lose sleep over.
"It would be a bonus but it's not in my thoughts. My thoughts are about making the team win. If the right decision is to go to the corner and pass on points, I will do that. It's nothing really. But if you do it, it's an amazing mark to do. Ronan obviously had an amazing career and even just to be in that same conversation is enough for me."
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