Since Ireland got in on this gig, back in 1890, they've managed to win the championship outright just 15 times so 'just’ retaining their title this evening is nothing to be sniffed at, says captain Peter O'Mahony.
Ireland’s tally is behind England (29), Wales (28) and France (18) in all-time Home / Five / Six Nations victories.
They have shared the prize on a further eight occasions and the Grand Slam, for which another tilt today was denied by England last weekend, has been achieved just four times.
If Ireland win or draw against Scotland later this afternoon, O’Mahony, alongside Conor Murray and Cian Healy, will have medal number five in his back pocket.
"No, I don't think so because as you said it's so rare," he said when asked if winning the title was devalued in the aftermath of blowing another Grand Slam shot.
"I know we've had a few in our most recent history but going back over a long period we're way down the list of championships won.
"You're talking about back-to-back Grand Slams and no-one has done it [in the Six Nations] because it's so hard, that's why.
"You've got to win 10 Six Nations games in a row, win five away from home.
"It's unbelievably difficult to win a game away from home in this championship, if you look at the stats across the board.
"So, it's everything to us tomorrow. Absolutely everything to us, another championship.
"It's probably a manner of the Irish psyche, 'Jesus, another championship', you know what I mean, when all of a sudden a few years ago you'd have taken your arm and your leg off for one.
"We're still in the same boat, it matters a massive amount to us. It's what we're here for, that's the be all and end all of it, we're here to win a championship for our country and it couldn't mean any more to us."
O’Mahony won titles in 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2023 but says he hasn’t had time to think about the achievement of getting that fifth notch on the belt.
"Not particularly if I am going to be very honest with you," said the 34-year-old.
"It has been a tough week, a stressful week coming into it, the last few days have been great preparation-wise.
"We have had a fair bit on our plate to get stuck into, consume and get through.
"So performance is key to our owning this and we are keen to get stuck into it."
"Yeah look they play a huge part in every game we play here, I have to say," he said of how special it would be to parade the prize around at Ireland’s home fans.
"It's always in big occasions like that that they're a very influential point of the game.
"It was special, I don't think we had ever done it, it was the first time ever so last year was very special, obviously.
"Like the way the last few weeks have gone I think it will be very special if we win it."
While Ireland have won their last nine games against Scotland, there have been a few close calls in that run.
Their last meeting was more one-sided with Ireland going 36-0 up at their World Cup pool meeting before Scotland ran in two late converted tries.
It was a game that had a couple of flare-ups as the players tussling after the referee’s whistle.
"Well look, I think it's a competitive game and both teams always get stuck in and that's what you want, isn't it, you want both teams flat out," said O’Mahony when asked about the nature of the rivalry between the sides.
"And we're not playing tennis or golf, you know what I mean? It's a physical game, and you've got to get stuck in and you've got to be on the edge, and that's rugby, like."
Meanwhile, O’Mahony was asked if he’d have some work to do when he returns to Munster duty after the championship with France and Ireland courting centre Antoine Frisch, who qualifies for both countries.
The 27-year-old was called up to France training during the week by Fabien Galthie before being released.
In 2022 he went on tour with Emerging Ireland to South Africa.
Winning a cap for Les Bleus would make him non-Ireland qualified and could have knock-on effects for Munster given the IRFU’s policy on NIQ players.
O’Mahony said: "I will have to [talk to him], I'd say, because he is an important player for us.
"I think he has grown into his own, he is an integral part of the squad now.
"He is horizontal laid-back and a great guy to have on the pitch and his performances are getting better so I'll certainly have to have work to try and keep him in Ireland over the next few years."
