Kearney revels in Ireland return

Few positives emerged from Ireland's 10-6 defeat by Scotland on Saturday but the return of Rob Kearney from a serious knee injury was one highlight.

Kearney played his first match since sustaining cartilage and ligament damage against New Zealand last November, completing the full 80 minutes unscathed.

"It's a huge relief to be playing again. I'd been nervous all week - I don't usually get nerves beforehand," said Kearney.

"I came across some big obstacles. The result wasn't what we wanted but from a personal perspective it was good to get through it.

"I felt really good at times, but was blowing at other times. All in all I was happy and felt pretty comfortable.

"I've come back from injury before where you try to do something magical, but my main focus was to do the basics right and make as few errors as possible.

"I was pleased with the way it went, but if I'd had a shocker I wasn't going to judge myself too much.

"Likewise if I had a stormer I wasn't going to get over-excited either.

"I don't know if I'll be playing every week, but I'd love to play every week."