Kidney holds fire to keep refs on side

DECLAN KIDNEY says he will use diplomacy to iron out the problems Ireland appear to be having with referees these days.

The Irish coach declined to take a critical line on Welsh referee Nigel Owens yesterday, despite questioning some of the 13 penalties he awarded against his side.

Moments after Scottish coach Andy Robinson had charged that Ireland should have been more heavily punished via yellow cards, a more composed Kidney said: “We will take a look at them (penalties). I have no interest in getting into a sledging match about the referee; they have a very difficult job.