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NEED TO BE WARY

Declan Kidney, who masterminded Munster’s two Heineken Cup victories now hopes to end Ireland’s barren run in the Championship.

A pulsating 30-21 victory over France in Croke Park, a relatively comfortable 9-38 success over Italy in Rome and a bruising 14-13 win against our old rivals England, means Ireland are on the verge of Grand Slam Glory.

However they must be wary and keep in mind the fate England suffered in 1999. England were thirty seconds away from achieving the Grand Slam only to be denied by a late Welsh surge in Wembley. England finished empty-handed that season as Scotland leap-frog them to win the Championship.

SCOTS NEW FOUND CONFIDENCE

While many believe Ireland are set up to finally end their Grand Slam hoodoo, their fizz could become embarrassingly flat over the next two weeks. Despite having beaten Scotland in the last seven Six Nation seasons, Ireland cannot afford to be complacent against the ever improving Scot’s.

Despite a bad day at the office in their opening day clash against Wales, Scotland were unlucky at times v France performing many unforced errors on the day but a 26-6 victory over Italy last time out has them gunning for back to back victories.

Scotland welcome back Chris Patterson and Euan Murray and with the Evan brothers, Thom and Max, on form and in favour once more, the Scot’s will be no easy pushovers.

KIDNEY RINGS THE CHANGES

For their part, Ireland have made four changes for the team to start against Scotland in Murrayfield on Saturday. Gordon D'Arcy, Peter Stringer, Rory Best and Denis Leamy have all been elevated to the starting fifteen. D'Arcy starts his first game for Ireland in over a year after being named in the centre in place of Paddy Wallace, who moves to the replacements.

Scrumhalf Peter Stringer takes up the No.9 jersey after swapping places with Tomas O'Leary who started the previous three games.

The other two changes to the Ireland side are in the pack. In the front row, Rory Best is named at hooker with Jerry Flannery taking Best's position among the replacements.

Denis Leamy, who came on in place of Jamie Heaslip during the England game, is picked to start the game at No.8 with Heaslip backing up from the bench.

Captain Brian O’Driscoll is fit and ready after his heroics against England while out half Ronan O’Gara will be hoping he returns to his best after a nightmare performance in Croke Park last time out.

LANDMARK FOR HAYES

The game will also be landmark for Ireland tight head prop John Hayes who will become the most capped Irish player of all time winning his 93rd cap, overhauling fellow Ireland squad member Malcolm O'Kelly's previous record of 92 caps.

Ireland team to play Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations at Murrayfield on Saturday, March 14 (Kick Off 5pm):

R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, captain), G D'Arcy (Leinster), L Fitzgerald (Leinster); R O'Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster); M Horan (Munster), R Best (Ulster), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), D Wallace (Munster), D Leamy (Munster).