Horan targets Ireland return

Munster's Marcus Horan has set his sights on forcing his way back into Declan Kidney's Ireland squad as he continues his comeback from a career-threatening irregular heartbeat.

The 32-year-old had been troubled for the past four seasons with the condition and at one point was told that he would have to quit playing.

But Horan refused to give up and has forced his way back into the Munster squad, and now has his sights set on an international return after missing out on a place in Kidney’s Six Nations squad.

The loose-head prop, capped 66 times by Ireland said: “I didn’t have enough opportunities before the Six Nations to put my name in the hat and that was hugely disappointing.

“You see other guys that were out for a while and they got in so that was pretty hard to take. It’s difficult. You’re trying to do as best you can but just the opportunity wasn’t there. I didn’t have much control over it.

“But now I do. There are big shop windows there to play over the next couple of weeks.

“It’s a great goal and a great challenge to have at this stage of your career. When you’re winning things it’s always great but this is a new challenge for me. It’s an experience I haven’t had before.

“There’s a perception out there that I’ve missed a huge amount of rugby but I haven’t. We’re in the business end of the season now and Munster are in contention for things so I’m going to really give it a go.

“Each game that I’ve played, I feel I’m getting stronger and stronger. They are getting more and more serious and more and more competitive.

“So that will benefit me hugely and hopefully with the break that I did have I will be that bit stronger come the latter stages of the season.”

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Sexton rediscovers his kicking boots

Ireland international Jonathan Sexton held his nerve to kick a late drop goal and give Leinster a 17-14 win over Connacht in the Magners League.

Sexton came in for some criticism for his kicking in Ireland’s Six Nations campaign but he put those troubles behind him against Connacht.

Fionn Carr scored two tries inside the opening 22 minutes, with Miah Nikora converting both but Ireland full-back Rob Kearney responded with a score of his own as Leinster trailed 14-8 at the interval.

Sexton had kicked one penalty in the first half and was successful with two more attempts after the break to level the scores in the 69th minute.

And the 24-year-old knocked over the drop goal with a minute left to secure the win and send Leinster four points clear at the top, while Connacht remain rock bottom.

In the only other Magners League fixture of the day Newport-Gwent Dragons won the all-Welsh affair with Ospreys 28-20.

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Byrne: Lions tour took its toll on Ireland

Former Ireland hooker Shane Byrne believes Declan Kidney's side suffered a Lions hangover after a mixed Six Nations campaign.

The defending champions saw their bid to make it back-to-back Grand Slams derailed by France’s 33-10 victory before a last-minute Dan Parks penalty for Scotland denied them the Triple Crown.

And with the 2011 World Cup on the horizon, Byrne – who won 45 caps for Ireland – maintains the effects of the brutal Lions series defeat to South Africa have taken their toll on key individuals.

He said: “If you look at Ireland’s Six Nations as a whole you would have to say it has been a disappointing campaign in a far from vintage Championship.

“Keith Earls stepped up to the plate, Tomas O’Leary demonstrated what a talented player he is and Brian O’Driscoll is Brian O’Driscoll.

“But other players have been a shadow of the guys they were in 2009 and I think that is an after effect of the Lions tour.

“Certain key areas – the line-out and the scrum – were not functioning as well as they were last season – and that will need to be addressed before the summer tour and ahead of that the World Cup.”

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Kidney: We let people down in Scottish defeat

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has defended his side's tactics after they fell to a 23-20 Six Nations loss against Scotland that ended their bid for the Triple Crown.

Although it seemed as if Ireland would enjoy the perfect farewell to Croke Park thanks to Brian O’Driscoll’s early try Scotland soon hit back through Johnnie Beattie’s score.

And Scotland capitalised on their superiority at the set-piece and Irish handling errors to establish a 17-7 lead early in the second half before Dan Parks landed the winning penalty a minute from time.

“You'll never improve as a side unless you try things, but we weren't trying things for the sake of it,” said Kidney.

“We knew we had to go after Scotland to try and beat them and it's vital that we keep trying these things because we won't beat anybody unless we do.

“First and foremost it was about winning and trying to get a result, but we tried things that didn't come off. The error count went against us.”

It was a bitter conclusion to a Six Nations that Ireland started with such high hopes following their Grand Slam success last year.

And Kidney admits Ireland let down their fans following the hype and expectation that greeted their final outing at Croke Park.

“We feel like we've let a lot of people down and that's not a nice feeling,” he added.

“It's hugely disappointing. I can't put into words the way we feel. Like everyone else we wanted to leave Croke Park on a good note.

“You want to win trophies but we didn't. These things happen in life.

“There were so many people depending on us - supporters and the whole country.

“It's a very disappointing place to be at the moment but these fellas are very resilient.

“We made mistakes, but we made mistakes trying things. Now we have to work on not making mistakes when the pressure is on.”

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Kidney: We're desperate to claim the Triple Crown

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has warned against complacency as his side battle to win the Triple Crown in their final Six Nations game against Scotland at Croke Park.

Kidney’s men have already pulled off victories against England (20-16) and Wales (27-17) but must now overcome a Scotland side battling to avoid the wooden spoon.

And while disappointed to not be challenging for the title the 2009 IRB coach of the year insists his team is desperate to end the campaign on a high.

"This team isn't blasé about the enormity of winning silverware in any way, shape or form," says Kidney.

"It's a common goal to win silverware whenever we can, to be blasé would be disrespectful to those Irish players who spilt a lot of blood over the years but failed to win a Triple Crown.

"I recognised the importance of the Triple Crown when we won the first one in 2004 because of the long time since we'd won one before then.

"You always set your targets as high as you can in trying to achieve the ultimate, which is the Grand Slam. When you can't achieve that, the next best thing is the championship or the Triple Crown.

"Sometimes goals have to be reassessed mid-season and after we lost to France, we had to do that."

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O'Driscoll determined to land fifth Triple Crown in seven years

Brian O'Driscoll insists Ireland can't forget the importance of landing the Six Nations Triple Crown when they face Scotland on Saturday.

Victory over Scotland, in Ireland’s final outing at Croke Park before they return to Lansdowne Road, will give Declan Kidney's side their fifth clean sweep over the home unions in seven years.

And while it may not make up for surrendering the championship to champions-elect France, O’Driscoll is adamant his teammates will treat the game like a cup final.

“Declan Kidney mentioned he’s gone through a couple of decades when Ireland haven’t experienced a Triple Crown,” said O’Driscoll.

“This team isn’t blasé about the enormity of winning silverware in any way shape or form. It’s a common goal to win silverware whenever we can. That opportunity presents itself this weekend.

“I recognised the enormity of the Triple Crown when we won the first won in 2004 because of the long time since we’d won one before then.”

Mathematically Ireland can still retain the championship, but would need England to beat France while overhauling a points difference of 50.

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Kidney unfazed by breakdown problems

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has refused to get drawn into the debate on the new laws governing the breakdown - insisting his side will concentrate their energies on adapting to the changes.

The Irish – most notably skipper Brian O’Driscoll against Wales last weekend – have been heavily penalised in their last two Six Nations encounters.

On both occasions a South African official has been in charge of the games and another - Jonathan Kaplan - is due to take charge of proceedings against Scotland on Saturday.

But Kidney, and Ireland back Tommy Bowe, have called on the squad to get used to the amendments sooner rather than later.

“There’s no point going on about something you have no control over,” said Kidney.

“We have a fair idea of what the emphasis and interpretation of certain sections (of the law) are going to be so we have worked on that.”

Bowe added: “It’s just another thing that we have to work on. For every match that we play there are different work-outs for different teams.

“While this is more on the law side of things, it’s just part and parcel of what we do weekly.

“It has been working in the Southern Hemisphere so obviously it’s just a matter of us getting used to it.”

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D'Arcy and Wallace face late fitness test

Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy will face a late fitness test ahead of his side's final Six Nations clash with Scotland this weekend.

D’Arcy limped off during Ireland’s 27-12 win against Wales and is one of a number of injury doubts boss Declan Kidney has to face.

Ireland remains on course for the Triple Crown but Kidney will be hoping Munster flanker David Wallace recovers from a scratch to the eye.

Cian Healy has a bruised shoulder but should be fit for the farewell Croke Park Six Nations contest, while weekend two-try hero Keith Earls is struggling with tight calf muscles.

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Kidney eager to wave goodbye to Croke Park on a high.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has told his players not to forget what is at stake when they take on Scotland in their last Six Nations fixture of 2010 on Saturday.

France’s demolition of Italy on Sunday means even if England do the impossible and beat the champions-elect in Paris, Ireland will need to overhaul a huge points difference to retain their title.

But with the Triple Crown still a possibility and the visit of Andy Robinson’s Scotland representing Ireland’s final match at Croke Park before they return to Lansdowne Road after a four-year absence, Kidney is desperate for his players to sign off with a win.

“For us Saturday is a final. Being a bit older than the players I came through two decades when we never won anything,” said Kidney, who will be well aware victory will see Ireland claim their fifth Triple Crown in seven years.

“We're playing Scotland next week in a one-off Test match which we see as a final.

“The GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) have been hugely supportive of us while we've been at Croke Park and maybe we can pay them due respect by playing our last match here as if it's a final.

“The Scots are known for ruining Irish parties and they'll want to do that once more.

“The great thing about the Six Nations is that no two games are ever alike and they all present different challenges.”

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Wallace aware of Williams threat

Ireland flanker David Wallace has warned his team-mates of the threat of Wales captain Martyn Williams ahead of the Six Nations clash at Croke Park.

Wallace toured South Africa with Williams on the British Lions tour last summer and saw first-hand the qualities of the Cardiff Blues star, who has been named skipper in place of Ryan Jones.

Williams replaced Wallace for the third test win against the World Champions but the Ireland No.7 can’t wait to go toe-to-toe this time around.

“Martyn is a very good footballer. He’s very good at poaching the ball,” said Wallace. “If you don’t have good numbers around rucks, you leave yourself open for him to pilfer the ball.

“He can play like an outside-half or a winger at times – he has soft hands and can kick too and it’s hard to pick faults in his game.

“I’ve also done two tours with him – he’s a good leader and the guys will want to play for him.”

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Ireland unchanged for Wales clash.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has stuck with the same XV that beat England at Twickenham for the  Six Nations clash with Wales at Croke Park.

Leinster’s Jamie Heaslip was the only doubt after picking up an ankle injury in the 20-16 victory for which he was named man of the match but will be fully fit.

Clubmate Jonny Sexton also keeps his place in the No.10 shirt despite an impressive cameo from replacement Ronan O’Gara against England.

Captain Brian O’Driscoll is in line to win his 100th cap – his 63rd as captain – with second-row Donncha O’Callaghan making his 60th appearance.

And in the only change to the matchday squad fit-again full-back Rob Kearney returns to the bench after recovering from the knee injury he sustained in the defeat to France.

The Leinster and British Lions star takes the place of Andrew Trimble as Geordan Murphy keeps hold of the starting slot.

Ireland: G Murphy; Bowe, B O’Driscoll, D’Arcy, Earls; Sexton, O’Leary; Healy, R Best, Hayes, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, Ferris, D Wallace, Heaslip.

Replacements: Buckley, Cronin, Cullen, Jennings, Reddan, O’Gara, Kearney

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Bowe hails Kidney's wise words

Ireland winger Tommy Bowe has thanked coach Declan Kidney for turning around his Six Nations campaign in the win over England.

Bowe stole the show at Twickenham with two tries in the 20-16 victory to finally open his account in this year’s tournament.

The Ospreys star’s confidence was dwindling after he had been a virtual spectator in the win over Italy and defeat to France but after Kidney’s intervention he took his international tally to 13 tries in 28 appearances.

The 26-year-old will face several club team-mates when Ireland welcome Wales to Croke Park this weekend and Bowe can’t wait to get back to action.

“Not many coaches would spot that I was trying too hard but that’s one of Declan’s main strengths,” said Bowe.

“You don’t like being pulled aside by the head coach in front of everyone but he wanted a quiet word and told me to relax.

“I didn’t think I’d done that badly in the first two games but I was very, very frustrated.

“And I know people like Andrew Trimble and Shane Horgan are breathing down my neck – I just want to keep as much distance between us as possible.”

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O'Driscoll shook off virus to star against England

Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll has admitted he was fighting off a virus when he helped his side down England 20-16 in last weekend's Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

The 31-year-old, who was stretchered off with 15 minutes to play after being accidently struck on the head by team-mate Paul O’Connell, went down with the bug the day before the game.

And O’Driscoll paid tribute to the rest of the squad for taking the pressure off his shoulders for the clash with England.

“I was happy enough just making the game,” said O’Driscoll. “I was thankful to see the rain because it slowed the game down a bit.

“The illness was definitely a distraction and I was grateful to Paul O’Connell and Jamie Heaslip, amongst others, who did most of the talking prior to the match.

“I managed to camouflage the fact that I wasn’t feeling great reasonably well.”

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Heaslip sits out Irish training

Ireland No.8 Jamie Heaslip was the only player to sit out training as Declan Kidney drilled his troops ahead of next week's Six Nations clash against Wales.

Heaslip is still suffering the effects of a sprained ankle picked up in the victory over England but his absence from the Carton House session is merely seen as a precautionary measure.

The other casualty from the 20-16 win at Twickenham – Ireland’s sixth defeat of England in their last seven meetings – was captain Brian O’Driscoll who was accidentally kneed in the head by teammate Paul O’Connell.

But after undergoing a compulsory cognitive test, centre O’Driscoll was given the all clear to take part in the full training sessions.

Ulster duo Andrew Trimble and Paddy Wallace were also part of the session, despite not starting against England, although they are still due to play for their region against the Scarlets on Friday night.

Kidney was also able to call on the services of Leicester winger Johne Murphy after the Tigers decided they did not require his services for the rematch of last year’s Guinness Premiership play-off final against London Irish.

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Flannery six-week ban upheld

Irish hooker Jerry Flannery will not play again in this year's Six Nations after his appeal against his suspension was dismissed.

The Munster star was banned for six weeks after kicking France’s Alexis Palisson in Ireland’s 33-10 defeat in Paris.

An independent Six Nations appeal committee met at a London hotel and decided against Flannery’s reinstatement after considering submissions made by the player.

They upheld the original disciplinary committee’s finding that the act of foul play was in the mid-range of offending defined by IRB Regulation 17 although French commentators were demanding stiffer sentences.

Rory Best replaced Flannery for last weekend’s Six Nations win over England and is likely to continue in that role against Wales.

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Kidney wary of Wales backlash

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has urged his side to be on their guard ahead of Wales' visit to Croke Park - despite Warren Gatland's side's stuttering Six Nations campaign.

Wales are fourth in the table after losing 26-20 to France at the Millennium Stadium, as well as 30-17 at Twickenham in their tournament opener.

But Kidney is aware of the threat Wales pose and says they could have easily been arriving in Dublin chasing a Grand Slam.

“Wales have been really unlucky not to win all three,” said Kidney.

“I don’t see them giving us the points that England and France got. They are a side that makes you play for the 80 minutes, as was shown last year in Cardiff when it was really just the kick of the ball between us.

“It’s going to be another huge game – you have to get it right against them.”

And Kidney remembers all too well how Wales triumphed 16-12 in Dublin en-route to the Grand Slam two years ago.

“Last time they were in Croke Park they won – they seemed to like it,” Kidney added.

“They are playing a good game and I’m sure they will go after us.

“That’s a pleasing thing too. We were seen as a scalp at the start of the season but we’ve answered two out of three calls now. We’ve another two to answer but the Welsh one is the only thing we’ll be concentrating on.”

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