F1 on Sky Sports
Find out more about the new Sky Sports F1 HD channel
SSN App for iPad
Stay in touch with the biggest and best stories around
Today on Sky Sports.com
Gunning for glory
We find out what our Scholars have been doing this week, including Fran showing off her guns!
Believe in Britain
Sky backs Britain. Find out more about Sky's support of British Cycling and the country's top cyclists.
Sky Sports Scout
Sky Sports Scout is where we scour the globe looking for the best talent, next up is Leandro Damiao.
England contenders
We take a look at the main contenders to replace Fabio Capello as England manager.
Earned his Spurs?
With Harry Redknapp the strong favourite to land the England job, we weigh up his pros and cons.
Quick Links
Leagues & Competitions
Teams
On Sky Sports
Experts
Don't Miss
Sport Sections
FUN & GAMES
SERVICES & INFORMATION
FEATURES
Other sites
QUICK LINKS
SKY SPORTS SHOWS
Select a team
Six Nations
- England
- France
- Ireland
- Italy
- Scotland
- Wales
Aviva Premiership
- Bath
- Exeter
- Gloucester
- Harlequins
- Leicester
- London Irish
- Newcastle
- Northampton
- Sale
- Saracens
- Wasps
- Worcester
Super Rugby
- Blues
- Brumbies
- Bulls
- Cheetahs
- Chiefs
- Crusaders
- Highlanders
- Hurricanes
- Lions
- Rebels
- Reds
- Sharks
- Stormers
- Waratahs
- Western Force
The Rugby Championship
- Australia
- New Zealand
- South Africa
RaboDirect PRO12
- Aironi
- Cardiff Blues
- Connacht
- Dragons
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- Leinster
- Munster
- Ospreys
- Scarlets
- Treviso
- Ulster
Top 14
- Agen
- Bayonne
- Biarritz
- Bordeaux-Begles
- Brive
- Castres
- Clermont Auvergne
- Lyon
- Montpellier
- Perpignan
- Racing Metro
- Stade Francais
- Toulon
- Toulouse
Prev Game: RBS Six Nations Sun 5th Feb
| team 1 | score | team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 21 - 23 | Wales |
Next Game: RBS Six Nations Sat 25th Feb
| team 1 | score | team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 13:30 | Italy |
Kidney set for tough battle
Irish chief expects South Africa to come out fighting
By Nicola Bamford Last updated: 26th November 2009
Kidney: Remains realistic
I regret South Africa's recent results because it means we're now being lined up.
Declan Kidney
Quotes of the week
Related links
Teams
Also see
Ireland coach Declan Kidney refuses to be deceived by South Africa's collapse in form ahead of their clash on Saturday.
The Springboks have only a single victory - over Italy - under their belt from their European tour, following defeats to Leicester, Saracens and France.
The Croke Park showdown puts the world champions against the Grand Slam winners, in a contest that is being billed as the "battle of the hemispheres".
And Kidney fears the opposition will be riled by recent setbacks and determined to end their season with a bang.
"I regret South Africa's recent results because it means we're now being lined up," he said.
"They've beaten the Lions and have won the Tri-Nations, so will be disappointed at the way things have gone in the last couple of matches.
Realistic
"This will be the last game of their season and we know we're bit of a target. Because of their recent results, we know they'll have targeted us even more.
"Beating us on our own patch would be a fine end to the season."
The South African squad has been ravaged by injury, but Kidney has no doubt in the quality of players still available to them.
"At the start, Italy were getting the upper hand in some of the scrummaging areas and winning their own line-out," the 50-year-old explained.
"But when South Africa made their changes towards the end of the match, they were giving Italy a rough time and were controlling the game.
"That's not done easily against Italy. I expect those players that came on against Italy will start against us."
Video
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Ireland | |
| Saturday 25th February | |
| RBS Six Nations | |
| 13:30 | Ireland vs Italy |
| Saturday 10th March | |
| 17:00 | Ireland vs Scotland |
| Saturday 17th March | |
| 17:00 | England vs Ireland |
| Result |
|---|
| Ireland |
| Sunday 5th February |
| RBS Six Nations |
| Ireland 21 - 23 Wales |
Features
Ashton backed in poll
Skysports.com readers vote Chris Ashton to be Six Nations top tournament try scorer.
Lancaster leeway
Stuart Barnes wasn't impressed with England, but is refusing to judge this young team too soon.
Light on the horizon
Dean Ryan says England must be less predictable after their unconvincing win against Scotland.
Experts & Blogs
Latest Ireland News
Cullen to skipper Ireland
Experienced second row Leo Cullen will lead Ireland out against Russia in Rotorua on Sunday.
Kidney furious at claims
Ireland coach Declan Kidney has hit out at "scandalous" accusations that his players feigned injuries against Australia.
Buckley to fight for place
Tony Buckley believes he can establish himself as a first-choice option in the Ireland front row if he is given a solid run of games.
O'Gara: I'm not quitting
Ireland fly-half Ronan O'Gara claims he has no intention of retiring from Test rugby after the World Cup.
Gaffney hails 'monumental' win
Ireland backs coach Alan Gaffney has described their 15-6 win over Australia at the World Cup as "monumental".
Around Sky Sports today
Win A New Car!
Win a Suzuki Swift Sport with Tubes and Fenners Bootcamp
Fantasy Football
Monthly & Weekly prizes up for grabs
Grand Slam Tennis 2
Win a PS3 & more with EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis 2
Post to your View!
Be the first to post a comment on this story