A poor World Cup has left O'Sullivan fighting for his job with the Irish Rugby Football Union poised to swing the axe if he fails to produce a significant improvement.

But O'Sullivan's self-belief remains intact as he embraces the greatest test of his six-year tenure as Ireland coach.

"There's more pressure on me now because we've come off the back of a World Cup that wasn't as successful as we'd hoped it would be," said O'Sullivan.

"Now the challenge is to put the train back on the tracks.

"Ultimately that doesn't change my job - I don't start doing things differently because I'm under pressure.

"I'll do the same as I do every day. If all the talk is going to make you act differently, then that's a bad thing.

"You still have to be true to yourself and back yourself to get the job done.

"Sure people will talk and pressure will mount but this is the Six Nations so let's get the job done and see what happens."

O'Sullivan, speaking at the RBS 6 Nations Championship launch, is eager to draw a line through a World Cup that has damaged the reputation of coach and players.

But the lingering doubts from those tortuous four weeks in France will be amplified should Ireland struggle in their opener against Italy a week on Saturday.

O'Sullivan names his 22 to face the Azzurri on Friday and looks set to remain loyal to the players responsible for probably the biggest disappointment in Irish rugby history

"I believe I got selection right during the World Cup because if I'd changed the team around would it have transformed our performance?" he said.

"The answer to that is no because our performance at the World Cup wasn't based on poor selection, it was based on the fact we didn't play well as a unit.

"Changing the unit around wouldn't have made any difference.

"The Six Nations is different to the World Cup and the current squad has been picked around the form shown in the European Cup and the league."