Wolfhounds try to catch Kidney’s eye in Exeter

Sandy Park in Exeter may seem an odd place to begin the countdown to Ireland’s 2012 RBS 6 Nations campaign but it is there the final pieces of Declan Kidney’s initial championship squad will fall into place as the Wolfhounds take on England Saxons this evening (5pm).

Kidney will announce a 30-man Ireland squad on Monday for the opening two fixtures of the campaign, against Wales in Dublin and France in Paris just six days later. Having had a 24-player group for a training camp in Limerick last week, even those with the most rudimentary mathematical skills will see there are places up for grabs, with those starting today’s A international in pole position to stake a claim.

Here the Irish Examiner assesses the positions Kidney may opt to fill.