Kidney backs O'Driscoll to make history for Ireland

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has hailed the leadership qualities of his Grand Slam winning captain Brian O'Driscoll.

Kidney and O’Driscoll will attempt to make history in the next couple of months when Ireland bid to become the first country in Six Nations history to win back-to-back Grand Slams.

No team has won two Grand Slams in a row since the Five Nations became the Six Nations in 2000 but with O’Driscoll at the helm Kidney has no doubt that is a possibility.

“We’re very fortunate that we have a lot of leaders in the camp and I’m sure that helps Brian as a captain,” said Kidney, speaking at the RBS 6 Nations launch at the Hurlingham Club.

“A captain’s energy isn’t just spent on the field though, he has to do lots of other bits and pieces, such as coming to the launch, so it can be quite tiring being captain.

“He seems to be enjoying himself though and as long as he is doing that then the captaincy goes with him because he brings something special to the team.

“As a team we still have room for improvement but we are looking in good shape.”

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Lancaster unveils Saxons team for Ireland clash

Head coach Stuart Lancaster has handed Ben Youngs, Tom Wood and David Attwood their England Saxons debuts for the clash with Ireland A on Sunday.

Leicester Tigers rising star Youngs will play at scrum-half while Worcester’s Wood, who agreed to join Northampton next season earlier in the week, and Gloucester’s Attwood will play at flanker and second-row respectively.

Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani - on the comeback trail from injury - made himself unavailable for the game due to a family bereavement.

Highly-rated Saracens youngster Alex Goode will start at full-back to allow Shane Geraghty, who was axed from the senior squad after an under-par autumn international display, to play at No. 10.

Quins flyer David Strettle will play on the wing while newcomers Geoff Parling (Leicester), Jon Clarke (Northampton) and Miles Benjamin (Worcester) are on the bench.

And with the game being played at Bath's Recreation Ground boss Lancaster is expecting some partisan England support.

“We are really looking forward to Sunday,” said Lancaster. “We have a young squad full of quality players and a good mix of experience. I'm sure they will rise to a challenging Ireland A squad.

“Bath Rugby have a passionate and loyal fan base and we hope to see as many of them as possible out on Sunday cheering us on and watching this exciting group of players in action.”

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O'Driscoll eyeing Six Nations history

Captain Brian O'Driscoll is adamant Ireland can become the first team in Six Nations history to win back-to-back Grand Slams - despite having to play France in their own back yard.

Under Declan Kidney Ireland won the Grand Slam for the first time since 1948 last year however they are currently behind France in the odds to repeat the trick.

Kidney’s troops face a daunting trip to the Stade de France on February 13 – one of just two games on the road this year – in what could be a defining fixture in their bid to make history.

No team has won two Grand Slams in a row since the Five Nations became the Six Nations in 2000 but O’Driscoll insists not even France will stop them becoming the first.

“You hope it will be your time again, you get selfish after attaining a goal, you get a taste for it,” said O’Driscoll. “But it doesn’t mean your ambition isn’t still there – in fact it’s heightened.

“We know you don’t retain anything in this tournament. You give it back and try to win it again and that is exactly the way we are looking at it.

“If you are better than France this year you won’t be far away for they are strong. Marc Lievremont has changed the team a huge amount and they were very strong against South Africa.

“Back-to-back Grand Slams is all new ground to me I just go with the flow. But as a team we won’t look at things any differently and we won’t treat it any differently.”

Horan and Best part of powerful Ireland A squad for Saxons clash

Marcus Horan and Rory Best have been named in a strong Ireland A squad that will take on England Saxons in Bath this weekend.

Horan - who played in Munster's final Heineken Cup pool match - is named among the front rows alongside Best, who also recently returned to full-time training with Ulster having recovered from injury.

Denis Hurley has been included in the squad and is being monitored on his recovery from the leg injury which forced his late withdrawal from Munster's Heineken Cup clash against Northampton at the weekend.

Meanwhile several players sat out training with the Ireland senior squad in Limerick on Tuesday.

Donncha O'Callaghan (knee), Sean Cronin (sprained ankle) and Stephen Ferris (shin) did not train, but none of the players have been ruled out of contention for the first weekend of the Six Nations Championship.

Ronan O'Gara, Gordon D'Arcy, Jonathan Sexton and Shane Horgan all sat out training as well as a precaution following the weekend's games.

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Ruddock pick of strong Irish Under-20 squad

Ireland head coach Allen Clarke admits his squad will be taking a step into the unknown when they lock horns with Italy in their opening Under-20 Six Nations Championship clash.

Rhys Ruddock, who featured in last year's tournament, is the stand-out name in Clarke's 26-man squad after making his Leinster bow against the Dragons in December.

Ruddock, son of Worcester and former Wales coach Mike Ruddock, is joined in the squad by six other players who have previously represented the under-20's.

And after being pipped to the post by France last year, Clarke has called on his side to hit the ground running in their pursuit of top spot this year.

"We all recognise the potential of the squad while respecting the challenges ahead, the first of which is to start the Six Nations campaign against Italy at home with a good performance," said Clarke.

"Being the first game of the championship means we have little knowledge of the opposition so our concentration is to be accurate with and without the ball.

"The attitude of the players has been excellent, both in their individual attention and motivation while developing with their provincial rugby and fitness coaches and while playing for their clubs.

"The warm up games against the Provincial Development sides have provided the opportunity to develop our game and identify the areas we need to improve."

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Boss linked with move to Leinster

Ulster scrum-half Isaac Boss could be on his way out of Ravenhill sooner rather than later after being strongly linked with a move to Heineken Cup champions Leinster.

The New Zealand-born 29-year-old - who was named in Ireland's RBS 6 Nations squad last week - is believed to have held talks with Leinster, while Ulster are already eyeing up potential replacements.

Sale's Dwayne Peel - who is out of contract with the Sharks at the end of the season - and Edinburgh's Mike Blair are both reportedly being sounded out by Ulster.

Meanwhile the Irish province are also reportedly trying to lure South African World Cup winner Ruan Pienaar away from the Natal Sharks.

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London Irish out as Sexton strikes late for Leinster

Ireland international Jonathan Sexton struck a late drop-goal as European champions Leinster drew with London Irish to knock the English club out of the Heineken Cup.

Irish will be kicking themselves after surrendering a winning position at a packed Twickenham.

Former Harlequin Chris Malone had minutes earlier sent over a dramatic penalty to give Irish an 11-8 lead and the Exiles were left to rue to other missed drop goal efforts late on.

Leinster had led 8-3 after a try from Isa Nacewa, while Sexton and Malone traded penalty kicks.

The result means that Northampton Saints, who lost against Munster last night, now qualify in place of London Irish.