With a defeat to their name from their solitary RBS 6 Nations clash this year, against Wales 23-21, Ireland seemingly face an uphill battle to challenge for the title.

And Kidney believes the task will become even more tricky if they start looking any further ahead in their diaries than the February 25 visit of Italy to the Aviva Stadium.

“You could see the improvement of Italy going from the France game into the England game,” said Kidney.  “England only just managed to get the best of them and so for us it is all about concentrating on Italy.

“What happens after that then we’ll have to deal with after that. For us as coaches and more importantly as players then it’s about taking the next match.

“It’s a worn cliché but time has shown that if you don’t deal with what’s in front of you then you’re not going to have a good day.”