In typically understated fashion, Ireland coach Declan Kidney has sought to dampen lofty expectations ahead of his first Six Nations at the helm.

A successful year on the club stage, that saw a Magners League win for Leinster and another Heineken Cup victory for Kidney and Munster, has heightened optimism prior to the renewal of hostilities with familiar foes.

After three Triple Crowns in four years under Eddie O'Sullivan, Ireland suffered their worst finish since before the championship's expansion in 2000 last season, when fourth place and just two victories cost Kidney's predecessor his job.

The new man’s tournament pedigree and the encouraging form of the provinces of late, have nonetheless reignited belief that a first championship win since 1985 may be on the cards. The confidence is welcome, he says, but he's not one for getting carried away.

"There has to be an expectancy given their results over the last six years," Kidney told reporters at the competition's launch. "There's never been a better period for Irish rugby. They've won three triple crowns and were about two seconds from a championship.

"It's nice when people expect because it shows a belief in our ability but I think you have to be realistic as well."

The woeful World Cup showing in 2007 offered a hefty dose of realism for many fans and observers and, in particular, for O’Sullivan, whose days in charge were numbered after the failure to emerge from the group stages in France.

His successor is keen not to be burdened by the same public expectation and highlighted rugby’s position in Irish sport to emphasise his point.

"There are great sporting groups in Ireland that play Gaelic, hurling and soccer. And rugby goes along with that. Rugby has grown in popularity and that's probably raised expectations but the truth is we have four professional teams in Ireland," Kidney said.

"A lot of the sides we play against, it’s their primary game. France have 14 professional teams at the top level, England have a dozen or so and we're trying to compete against that. We're a small country and we'll give it our best shot."

Captain Brian O'Driscoll spoke similarly predicably of the narrow margins between success and failure.

"I just think the margins between winning and losing at this level are so small and it's the small things done well, the small corrections that can change your fortunes," the Leinster centre said.

"Hopefully, once we identify that and the specific areas of our game that need tweaking, we'll continue to improve."

O'Driscoll added his decision to remains as captain was an easy one.

“I’d spoken to Declan a couple of times since November. We’d stayed in touch over a couple of different things,” he said. "When he offered it to me it wasn’t a difficult decision. I’ve loved it every time I’ve pulled a green jersey on.

“As long as there’s that enthusiasm I’ll continue to want to do the job."

Kidney insists nothing should be read into the six-day delay between naming Ireland’s Six Nations squad and reappointing O’Driscoll.

“It was just a lapse of time. I wanted to give him time to look after himself because the captaincy is a demanding role,” said the coach. “Having done it for so long, it was my way of looking after him.

“That’s what happened over the last few weeks and then it came down to one question, do you fancy doing it?”