‘One day makes a huge difference’

Please do not ask Declan Kidney what difference a day makes.

Aside from the terrific inconvenience caused to ticket-holding supporters by the late postponement of last Saturday night’s RBS 6 Nations game in Paris, the decision to reschedule the game back at the Stade de France on Sunday, March 4 rather than 24 hours earlier has had serious implications for the Ireland management’s planning and preparations for the rest of the campaign.

Facing the prospect of four games in successive weeks to complete the 2012 Six Nations campaign after this weekend was ruled out as an option, the IRFU sent its two Six Nations Council members, Peter Boyle and Pat Whelan, into the negotiating room. Saturday, March 3 was the preferred date of head coach Kidney.