Josh van der Flier insists Grand Slam talk in Ireland camp would be "naive" as they prepare to face "pumped up" Scotland at Murrayfield.
The current world player of the year is pleased with the progress made by Ireland under Andy Farrell but sees a big improvement in the Scots in this Six Nations campaign ahead of Sunday's encounter.
Asked to compare Gregor Townsend's side now to how they performed previously, van der Flier said: "The way they've attacked, the way they've blended all the areas of their game...there's been times where the lineout has been brilliant and maybe other areas could have been better.
"But you look at them now and the performances they've put in, they've been pretty all round performances in terms of the way the forwards are playing, the way the backs are playing and the way they're linking up.
"They look like a really, really dangerous team so it's going to be a massive challenge and I think we're definitely all aware of that."
The tireless flanker added: "It (the Grand Slam) was probably something we would have mentioned at the start of the tournament.
"I wouldn’t say it’s a banned word - but I think with the threat that we have this weekend with the Scotland side that are playing so well, it would probably be naive of us to start talking about a Grand Slam or anything like that.
"I think it is going to be a massive challenge against a really, really good side.
"Obviously, the goal for every team going in, you want to win all your games but it will be such a big challenge this week I don’t think you can look far past that."
Van der Flier warns of Scotland's attacking threats "across the board", particularly at the breakdown where the home skipper Jamie Ritchie will be looking to lead by example.
"Yeah, Jamie Ritchie is a great player, a really, really good guy as well," said the Leinster star.
"I've chatted to him a good few times after games and he's very impressive on the field, a huge breakdown threat and a good ball carrier, he's good in the lineout -he's a really good all round back row.
"I know he'll be motivating the Scotland players in his role as a leader but they won't need much motivation with the prospect of a Triple Crown for them if they win.
"So we'll certainly be ready for a pretty motivated and pumped up team and thinking of their back row, they're a top quality team - and they have all the motivation they need coming into this weekend."
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