Six Nations: Eoin Reddan ready to take Ireland chance against Scotland

Eoin Reddan replaces Conor Murray in the Ireland team

Ireland scrum-half Eoin Reddan is eager to take his chance against Scotland in Saturday's Six Nations match in Dublin.

Reddan has been restored to the Irish starting XV after a knee injury sustained against France ended Conor Murray's championship.

"At this stage of my career I've learnt that coaches are entitled to their opinion," said Reddan.

"You need to focus on your form, concentrate on what you do well and keep bringing it."

The 31-year-old's strong cameos off the bench against Wales and Italy led to calls for him to start at the Stade de France, but fate has intervened to give him his chance this weekend.

Unable to fully establish himself as Ireland's first choice number nine since making his debut in 2006, he has devised his own approach to selection.

"If you get frustrated or bothered by it, it pushes you further away from getting into the team," he said.

"If you manage to keep your form, it gives them a chance to realise they were wrong.

"That's the only hope you have because if you let your form dip, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy."

Meanwhile Ireland coach Declan Kidney has reminded his players that, while the Six Nations title is unobtainable, the clash with Scotland remains of critical importance.

The seedings for the 2015 World Cup pool stages will be determined by the International Rugby Board world rankings at the end of the year and Ireland have eight matches to ensure they finish inside the top eight and thus avoid the nightmare scenario of being drawn in a group alongside two major nations.

Among those games are a three-Test series in New Zealand - they have never beaten the All Blacks home or away - England at Twickenham and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in November.

"The championship is out of reach, but there is a huge amount at stake at the end of November," said Kidney.

"We're very aware of the IRB ranking system and the need to be ranked as high as possible for the next World Cup.

Declan Kidney says pride is at stake against Scotland

"The ranking system probably only becomes important once every four years in terms of getting something from it, so we're conscious of that.

"I pointed out to the players that given the age profile of our side, 80-90% of them will be hoping to be around for the next World Cup.

"This is their foundation, so they must understand it and don't be saying afterwards they didn't realise.

"It won't make us win the match against Scotland, but it's something to have in the back of the mind."

Regardless of whether a Six Nations title or ranking points are at stake, Kidney insists pride alone should be sufficient to inspire his side.

"The Six Nations is different to other competitions, it's like playing in five cup finals," he said.

"Each game is a cup final in its own right and each day you pull on the green jersey is a huge day."