Kidney has rugby’s toughest job, reckons Barnes

It will be no comfort to Declan Kidney as he prepares for a three-Test series in New Zealand but Sky Sports analyst Stuart Barnes believes the Ireland head coach has the hardest job in international rugby.

Kidney today names a preliminary squad for the pre-tour game against the Barbarians in Gloucester on May 29, having delayed the announcement by 24 hours to assess a number of injuries to his potential panel.

The former Munster coach will also no doubt be holding his breath this Saturday in fear of his players getting injured ahead of their series with the world champions during the all-Irish Heineken Cup final between Leinster and Ulster.