Six Nations: Six Ulster players in Kidney’s last Ireland Squad.

It would be somewhat ironic if Ireland finished, what could be Kidney’s last game in charge, with six Ulstermen on the field given the way the Province has, somewhat deservedly, been overlooked in recent years.

In a last gasp attempt to be seen as progressive Kidney has dispensed with Donnacha O’Callaghan leaving only the unrivalled genius Brian O’Driscoll as the last of the Golden Generation  in the side.

However, unlike Ulster, who have embarked on a strategic period of rebuilding and succession planning, Kidney’s changes have been forced upon him and you cant help but feel that he still struggles with the concept of playing young players for experience rather than out of necessity. The return of, a still doubtful, Jonny Sexton being a case in point when Jackson’s performance last week against France warranted another run out and surely Madigan deserved another chance in what is really a meaningless match in the overall picture.

Anyway, hopefully wee P, Paddy J and big Hendy will get a substantial run out from the bench and all will return safely for Ulster’s final punch for league and cup glory.

I’ll probably find myself getting more interested . . .