'Not our greatest day' - Declan Kidney

Ireland coach Declan Kidney conceded that his side's showing in their 23-20 defeat by Scotland was not one of their finest performances.

But Kidney also insisted that he was not surprised by Scotland's performance.

'They drew with England, were 10 points up on Wales so the way they played wasn't a complete shock to us. We've seen that coming and we were always afraid that today they would win,' Kidney said.

'But at the same time we didn't have our greatest day, we made errors around the place and we said all along that unless you're right on top of your game, any team in this competition can beat anyone else.'

The defeat cost Ireland a fifth triple crown in seven years and after taking the title as grand slam winners in 2009, Kidney said he felt his side underachieved this year after finishing second to champions France.

The former Munster coach added he would endure a long couple of months before he could get his squad back together for a June tour of New Zealand and Australia.

'It's going to be extremely frustrating now because when you lose your last one you have to live with it for two months,' he said.

Paul O'Connell admitted Ireland had endured an anti-climatic ending to their Six Nations.

'It's been a disappointing championship. Two defeats is more than we wanted at the start,' said the Lions captain.

'We're an excellent side and we want to win things. Unfortunately now we're coming away empty handed so we're disappointed with the way it's gone.'

'The lineouts were disappointing. They defended them very well and we made a few mistakes ourselves. We struggled in that area today unfortunately.'