RUGBY: Declan Kidney insists Ireland are punching their weight as they look ahead to their opening Six Nations match against France at Croke Park on February 7th while meeting the demands of an expectant public.

Ireland have been criticised in some quarters for not winning a Six Nations or Grand Slam with a group of players hailed as the ‘golden generation’. But Kidney believes the team’s achievements should be saluted given the competition rugby faces from other sports in Ireland.

“There’s never been such a good period in Irish rugby as the last six years,” said Kidney. “Ireland have won three Triple Crowns and were two seconds away from a championship. That would do me fine.

“All we can do is play to the best of our ability. How that measures up against other sides will be judged at the end of the season.

“It’s nice that people have expectations as it shows belief in our ability. But you have to be realistic as well.

“In Ireland we play hurling, football and soccer as well as rugby. Rugby has grown more popular in recent years and that has increased expectations.

“But the truth is we have four professional sides in Ireland. France and England, for example, have many more professional teams.

“For some countries it’s their primary game. We’re competing against that and we’re a small country.”

The coach insisted the only focus at this time is next weekend’s game against France.

“I accepted my job because of my belief in the players. If we work hard let’s see what we can do,” he said.

“I have a group of players who are honest enough to give everything they have in every match. I don’t expect to win any match, I expect to roll up and give it our best shot.”