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Captain Johnny Sexton insists Ireland are not thinking about anything beyond Scotland as they seek to avoid complacency following previous World Cup failures.<\/p>\n
Andy Farrell\u2019s men are within touching distance of the quarter-finals and a likely clash with either hosts France or three-time winners New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Yet, despite defeating defending champions South Africa in Paris to register a third consecutive Pool B victory, rugby\u2019s top-ranked nation could still be denied a spot in the knock-out stages by the Scots.<\/p>\n
Experienced fly-half Sexton, who has suffered last-eight exits at his previous three World Cups, admits his side cannot get ahead of themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not talking about being champions, we are talking about the next game,\u201d he said on the back of the 13-8 win over the Springboks.<\/p>\n
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\u201cNow it\u2019s all about Scotland. We\u2019re not thinking about anything beyond that.<\/p>\n
\u201cScotland are an excellent team. I think that they would be frustrated about how they played against South Africa (an 18-3 loss on September 10).<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all geared up towards that game now and making sure that we do what\u2019s required to try and win the pool.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we can\u2019t look beyond the next game. This competition will hurt you, that\u2019s the biggest lesson we can take from the last few World Cups.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ireland return to Stade de France on October 7 to take on Gregor Townsend\u2019s side after upsetting South Africa.<\/p>\n
Head coach Farrell believes the narrow win from a bruising encounter with the reigning champions is ideal preparation for future challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s be honest, it\u2019s wonderful to win, but there was not much in it between two good sides,\u201d said Farrell.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the best thing about it for us is we get to feel the intensity of a big game within this World Cup and know what that feels like for further down the line.<\/p>\n
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\u201cHow we are able to be a little bit more composed, be a little bit more accurate and play our game a little bit more. It\u2019s invaluable to be able to learn those lessons with a win.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what I would say is when you love defending as much as we did within that game, it stands us in good stead as far as our want and our fight for the rest of competition.\u201d<\/p>\n