Kidney knows best for Rory

Rory Best has credited Declan Kidney’s shrewd man management for the soaring self belief that is driving Ireland’s tilt at the RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam.

Victory over Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday would leave the Irish just one win away from a first clean sweep since 1948, the only other time they have managed it.

For Kidney to surpass Eddie O’Sullivan’s three Triple Crowns in four years during his first season as Ireland coach would represent a remarkable achievement.

The mastermind of Munster’s two Heineken Cup crowns inherited a squad dispirited by an abysmal 2007 World Cup with morale plummeting further during the ensuing Six Nations.

But since taking over from O’Sullivan last summer Kidney has been busy working his magic on the team’s frayed psyche and Best believes Ireland are seeing the benefit on the pitch.

“Declan has re-instilled the confidence that we had two years ago back into us,” said the Ulster hooker, who has been recalled against the Scots at the expense of Jerry Flannery.

“The boys are a lot more buoyant and he’s made us believe in ourselves again. For the past year and a half that wasn’t really there.

“When results and performances don’t go your way it’s hard to be happy. But Declan has kept telling us that we are a good team and a good bunch of players.

“Now that we have a couple of results under our belt the Ireland camp is a good place to be.

“You only need to look at Declan’s track record to know his way works.

“He’s won two European Cups with Munster which many people thought couldn’t be done. You have to appreciate what he’s achieved.”

Endless platitudes are the hallmark of Kidney’s public persona but behind the scenes he is a canny operator who knows what buttons to press.

Any mention of the Grand Slam remains strictly off limits within the Irish camp as they prepare for a fixture that many view as their biggest potential banana skin of the championship.

They have struggled on their last two trips to Edinburgh, losing one of them, so Kidney has revamped his side by recalling Best, Peter Stringer, Denis Leamy and Gordon D’Arcy – a quartet with 193 caps between them.

Best has been locked in a ferocious tussle with Flannery for the number two jersey, losing out to his in-form rival from Munster for the first three rounds.

But his superior scrummaging – viewed as his greatest asset – has resulted in his recall as Kidney seeks to contain Scotland’s monster pack.

“In the past I’ve been moved across the front row so I don’t mind being stuck in the middle of the scrum,” said the 26-year-old.

“At the time I just wanted selectors to make up their minds as to where I should play but with hindsight it’s been very beneficial for my game. It gives me an extra edge.”

While Best readily acknowledged his strengths, he believes he has developed into a more rounded player.

“Scrummaging has been one of my strongest departments but I didn’t want to be pigeonholed as a hooker who could scrum,” he said.

“I’ve worked hard on my throw and getting around the pitch a lot more. That was something I struggled with a little bit when I first came in.

“I worked on my fitness and trimmed down a bit. I addressed my handling and now feel more comfortable on the ball.

“I feel like I’ve got myself there and now I need to push it and not rest on my laurels.

“The way the squad is, if you think it’s happy days then you’ll end up on the bench in no time – or even worse out of the squad altogether.”