Ireland coach Joe Schmidt: 'Favourites tag is a distraction'

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has described being called "favourites" a distraction ahead of their Six Nations opener against Italy.

Ireland will travel to the Stadio Olimpico to kick off their tournament on February 7, and the nation has been placed by bookmakers as joint-favourites with England to take the crown.

"Being called favourites is a distraction," Schmidt told reporters. "It's someone else's opinion. If I was to select a favourite I could come up with someone else. [The tag of favourites] won't tangibly add to what we're trying to do."

The first game of the tournament will take place in Cardiff between Wales and England.