Kidney plays his cards close to chest

THOSE seeking to read coach Declan Kidney’s mind regarding his team for the opening RBS Six Nations clash with France on February 7 got little help from the 39-man squad announced yesterday.

With the exception of injured or suspended players Tony Buckley, Leo Cullen, Neil Best and Roger Wilson, all the usual suspects are included.

Old stagers like Malcolm O’Kelly, 34, and Girvan Dempsey, 33, who might have feared their careers were coming to an end, will breathe a sigh of relief knowing they still figure in Kidney’s plans. However, O’Kelly’s involvement is in some jeopardy given that he faces a disciplinary hearing of the European Rugby Cup in Dublin this afternoon.