Kidney wants to end Croker stay with win
Declan Kidney has urged his Ireland players to view their RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland as a final.
Ireland bring down the curtain on their four-year temporary residency at Croke Park when they host Andy Robinson’s side next Saturday.
A fifth Triple Crown in seven years is on the line against the Scots and Kidney insists that is all the motivation needed to end the championship on a triumphant note.
“For us Saturday is a final. Being a bit older than the players I came through two decades when we never won anything,” he said.
“We’re playing Scotland next week in a one-off Test match which we see as a final.
“The GAA 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.”
Kidney was delighted by Ireland’s scrummaging early in the second half of the 27-12 defeat of Wales when they appeared close to buckling under immense pressure.
Wales, rejecting kicks at goal in favour of the set-piece, won three consecutive scrums only to be shoved off their own ball on the fourth when a penalty try appeared imminent.
The dramatic reversal in fortune was a huge motivational boost for Ireland, whose scrummaging is often viewed as their Achilles heel.
“I thought it was huge. There was only 10 points in it at half-time,” said Kidney.
“Wales started the second half very strongly and were able to retain the ball for several phases.
“Our concentration wasn’t great in the first engagement, they probably got a nudge on us.
“It started to get better and then there was that big scrum. I’m delighted because I know how much work the lads are putting into the scrummaging.
“It was a huge lift when it happened and a big turning point.”
Leinster centre Gordon D’Arcy, who limped off in the first half on Saturday, could be available against Scotland after a medical update confirmed he had incurred only a dead leg.
Winger Keith Earls, who scored two tries against the Welsh, and flanker David Wallace are on course to overcome calf and eye problems in time to face the Scots.
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