Coach opts to go with the men in form

SPEAK softly but carry a big stick: that must surely be themantra of Irish rugby coach, Declan Kidney.

Many times during his time with Munster, the ever-smiling Kidney defied his public demeanour, showing he was well prepared to make the hard calls. In his first Six Nations at the helm of the national team it’s taken him until his fourth game but yesterday at the team hotel in Killiney Castle, he did it again.

Three wins from three outings, the same starting 15 in each of those wins, yet any hint of complacency is blown away in the few minutes it takes to read out the starting line-up against Scotland in Murrayfield on Saturday.