Six Nations: Maggs ready to play part

Kevin Maggs is looking forward to taking Ireland’s Lloyds TSB Six Nations title campaign into the home straight.

The Bath centre played a pivotal part in the 43-22 victory over Scotland at the weekend which puts the Irish back on track after their disaster at the hands of England a fortnight ago.

And with the English losing in France on Saturday, the championship is wide open again as Ireland look to play Italy in Dublin in three weeks’ time before a final date at the Stade de France against the French on April 6 to complete the campaign.

Maggs said: ‘‘It was great to get a win under our belts after the English game and it sets us up nicely for the Italy game before we go to Paris.

‘‘Obviously at Twickenham England played very well but we were off-colour and perhaps a bit too complacent after the Wales game.

‘‘We certainly paid the price. So obviously to play well and beat Scotland was a good boost for us.

‘‘We went to Twickenham full of confidence and we were very disappointed afterwards.

‘‘The management kept faith in us and gave everybody a second chance so it was important that we fronted up and put in a good performance against Scotland.’’

Maggs added: ‘‘It’s great for me because I’ve never beaten Scotland before. I played a few years ago and we lost by one point here (in Dublin) and I’ve been to Murrayfield three times and lost so it was about time I came out on the winning side.

‘‘At times we played very well and we defended quite well and managed to score a few tries off set-pieces so it was a good day for the backs. We’re very pleased.’’