Ireland coach Declan Kidney insisted he would consider his future over the coming weeks after Ireland slumped to their first Six Nations defeat to Italy.

“I said all along that I’d concentrate on each game as it came and that’s all I’ve done today,” Kidney said.

“I wasn’t thinking that this could be my last match as coach, all I was concentrating on was getting the win.

“I wanted to get a result out of today, we didn’t manage to do that and we’ll reflect on it over the coming days and weeks.

“I’d have to sit down and think about whether I want a new contract. These guys are a pleasure to work with, but beyond that I’d have to sit back and think about it.”

While succumbing to Italy may spell the end of Kidney, it could also have been Brian O’Driscoll’s last Ireland match with his future undecided beyond the summer.

O’Driscoll spent 10 minutes in the sin-bin for stamping and was fortunate to escape a red card for an offence that is sure to result in a suspension.

“Brian has had a strong Six Nations given everything that has been going on for him,” Kidney said.

"He was outstanding against Wales and had a good match against France. I thought he did well today too.

“He’s earned the space and time to be able to make up his own mind. Players are the only ones who know when the time is right to go.”

Paddy Jackson kicked all of Ireland's points with five penalties and captain Jamie Heaslip conceded that they had been outplayed.

“We gave away too many easy shots at goal and also turned over a lot of ball at the set piece. They cut us off at source,” Heaslip said.

“The set-piece is a big launching platform for any team, so to lose that was frustrating. But we were still in it until the end, despite the injuries.”