Solid return for Rob Kearney

FEW positives emerged from Ireland's 10-6 defeat by Scotland, 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. The Lions full-back is an important player for Ireland and his solid display was welcomed by a management team that had little else to celebrate at Murrayfield.

Kearney, making his comeback alongside Tomas O'Leary and Jerry Flannery, admits the occasion had been playing on his mind but was satisfied with the way it unfolded.

"It's a huge relief to be playing again. I'd been nervous all week - I don't usually get nerves beforehand," said Kearney. "The result wasn't what we wanted but from a personal perspective it was good to get through it.

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