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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