Another stepping stone for O’Mahony

Declan Kidney has backed his Irish “winners” to kick on from their sense of disappointment caused by the draw in France last week when they resume RBS 6 Nations duty against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium today (5pm).

Ireland let a 17-6 half-time lead slip at Stade de France last Sunday as the French fought back for a 17-17 draw, thus denying Kidney’s side a first win in Paris since 2000. For Irish teams past a draw would be a cause for celebration, but the head coach defended his players’ right to feel aggrieved.

“The players are winners so they won’t ever be satisfied with that,” Kidney said yesterday. “But if you go too harsh on yourself that’s when you can dry up. The lads are in good humour. They’ve been in great humour the last couple of days but they are certainly not satsified with what happened last week and let’s hope we can kick on.”