Kidney’s carrot keeps everyone on their toes

TO arrive at the penultimate phase of the Six Nations championship unbeaten, with a clean bill of health, and competition for places at an all-time high is as much as any coach could have wished for — especially in Declan Kidney’s inaugural season at the helm.

With the distinct possibility that this year’s tournament could yet again be decided by points difference, it’s surprising that Warren Gatland has made 10 changes to his Wales front line team for a visit to Rome — where the result may still be a foregone conclusion but the margin of victory will be crucial. At present Ireland are on a points differential of +23 and +34 over Wales and France respectively, but both have appetising trips to the Eternal City on the horizon.

Chasing a first championship in 24 years and attempting to bridge a 61-year gap since the Grand Slam triumph of 1948 is sure to focus the minds of all within the Ireland set-up for what could be a very rewarding eight-day period.