Kidney stays loyal to the players he trusts

Declan Kidney has often been criticised for being too conservative, but at least there’s plenty back-up if things aren’t working out.

Preparation is always most difficult for your first Six Nations match. Provincial players come off club duty to combine in a short two weeks and have to produce a cohesive performance under pressure. The coaches will quickly focus in on the expected starting 15 and run them in the majority of plays. The remainder will spend a lot of time in opposition.

There can be no doubt that Keith Earls’ late withdrawal for personal reasons will have thrown the Irish team’s preparations and Fergus McFadden’s in particular.