Declan Kidney explains removing Irish captaincy from Brian O'Driscoll

Ireland coach Declan Kidney admits his decision to remove the captaincy from Brian O'Driscoll for the Six Nations and hand it to Jamie Heaslip "wasn't an easy call".

Kidney insists that O'Driscoll remains in contention to skipper the Lions this summer despite losing the Ireland captaincy.

The Ireland coach also sidestepped questions about whether he will remain on in the job after this Six Nations.

Kidney's contract is scheduled to end after this year's competition and he may need his team to land the Six Nations title to hold on to his job.