Kidney picks Best to lead charge

RESISTING the urge to embrace squad rotation midway through Ireland’s arduous RBS 6 Nations schedule, head coach Declan Kidney has charged new captain Rory Best and his team to take their chance and show their leadership in Saturday’s clash with Scotland.

Best was yesterday confirmed as Ireland’s seventh captain in Six Nations history, succeeding Paul O’Connell, who had been standing in for the rehabilitating Brian O’Driscoll when he was struck with a championship-ending knee injury. Saturday’s game will be the third time Best has captained his country, having led Ireland on the 2009 tour into Tests against Canada and the USA.

The Ulsterman will bid to maintain his 100% captaincy record while breaking predecessor Keith Wood’s appearance milestone for Ireland hookers with his 58th Test appearance.