IT is said in a jokey tone, but through gritted teeth.

There is nothing like a thorough drubbing to focus the mind of a coach and the truly dismal nature of this Ireland performance in London on Saturday will require Declan Kidney to be deep in thought for most of the next couple of months before he sees his players again.

Ireland’s nemesis Mike Phillips aims to return to haunt Declan Kidney’s men at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow.

Andrew Trimble knew when Declan Kidney hadn’t pulled him aside for a quiet word on Tuesday he stood a better-than-evens chance of being named on the wing to face Wales.

Jonny Sexton does not expect the great Irish fly-half debate to stop any time soon but for now, as the incumbent, he is going to enjoy being on the right side of the argument.

CHRIS PATERSON will now reflect on a record-filled Scotland career after yesterday announcing his retirement from international rugby.

MAYBE this is the way that all opening games go for Ireland but it does not make them any easier to swallow.

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has told his 30-man Rugby World Cup squad to now seize a place in his starting XV.

Scotland 21 Italy 8

France back-row forward Sebastien Chabal insists Les Bleus have taken no comfort from Ireland’s below-par display in Italy last weekend ahead of Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations trip to the Aviva Stadium.

IRELAND’S options at full-back, normally so abundant, are beginning to look threadbare ahead of the Six Nations with the likelihood that Geordan Murphy will sit out the opening encounter with Italy in Rome.

THE Leinster branch of the IRFU has told clubs that they will be recompensed for any losses incurred as a result of the ticketing fiasco surrounding the Autumn Guinness Series.

RUGBY clubs confirmed yesterday they were not charged by the IRFU for unsold tickets for the autumn internationals, despite suggestions to that effect some weeks ago.

IRISH rugby chiefs have moved quickly to correct their ham-fisted ticket pricing policy with a revised, tiered package of prices for the Six Nations.

THE IRFU is to set up a second special committee to agree a “fair and equitable” solution to the controversy over unsold tickets for the autumn internationals.

THE Irish Rugby Football Union last night performed a major U-turn in its ticketing policy for this month’s autumn international series and in the process averted a concerted revolt by clubs across the country.

RONAN O’GARA is relishing the prospect of fighting for his place in the Ireland team, at the next World Cup and beyond.

Ireland will open their 2011 RBS 6 Nations campaign with an away game against Italy in February and will finish the RBS 6 Nations with a clash at home to England.

Wales and England will launch next year's RBS 6 Nations in a groundbreaking Friday night opener.