O’Callaghan: We have been warned

WOE betide the Irish player that falls foul of Jonathan Kaplan’s whistle in Cardiff this Saturday evening, with the wrath of Kidney awaiting.

At least that’s the scenario painted yesterday by Donncha O’Callaghan, who revealed that a tongue-lashing from the normally mild-mannered Ireland head coach Declan Kidney last week had scared the squad witless at the very thought they might leave a hand in at the ruck, go off their feet or fail to release a tackler.

All of the above nearly cost Ireland a victory over Scotland 10 days ago that should have been far more comprehensive than the 21-18 scoreline will show in the record books. And when the subject was inevitably broached by Kidney during a squad get-together at Carton House last week, O’Callaghan said the players were left under no illusions as to the consequences of further transgressions.