Declan Kidney warns of Scotland threat

Ireland coach Declan Kidney fears the consequences if Scotland produce the performance he believes they have threatened throughout the RBS 6 Nations.

The Scots arrive in Dublin with a draw against England providing their only point heading into the final round of the championship. Narrow defeats to Wales and Italy have helped plant them at the foot of the table.

Ireland are playing for their fifth Triple Crown in seven seasons and are determined to make their final match at Croke Park an occasion to remember.

But Kidney fears the Scots have the capacity to mute their victory celebrations.

'We lost in Paris earlier in the tournament but the way the lads have come back since then has been fantastic,' he said.

'Winning the Triple Crown now will be an added bonus but all you have to do is look at the history of it to see how hard it is to win these three matches.

'I believe this is a very good Scotland side that has improved no end and has many points to prove.

'They're hugely physical. They come at you defensively so we'll have to be very sharp in trying to take our scores.

'I don't think there will be much in it at the end of the day.

'They've very big men and they're hungry. You can't coach hunger - it's either in players or it's not.

'This Scotland team is on the verge of something. We just have to make sure that it doesn't happen.'

If Scotland are condemned to bottom place this evening, Ireland's record at Croke Park will read played 14, won 10, lost three and drawn one.

Included in those figures are victories over England, France and South Africa, a Grand Slam-winning season and three Triple Crowns.