O'Mahony: Kidney should stay

Ireland flanker Peter O'Mahony insists the players are 100% behind under-pressure head coach Declan Kidney.

The Ireland head coach admitted he will consider his future in the coming weeks after his team finished second bottom in this year's Six Nations, following defeats to Italy, England and Scotland and a draw with France.

Ireland's only win came on the opening weekend of the championship against Wales.

Kidney's contract with the Irish Rugby Union expires this summer and both parties must decide whether to renew the deal.

While some pundits have suggested it is time for Kidney to step aside, O'Mahony, who played much of Ireland's defeat to Italy on Saturday on the wing after an injury to Luke Fitzgerald, insists the players and not the coach are to blame for their disappointing campaign.

"The players should take the blame for what's happened. We've been given every opportunity to go out and play for Ireland," O'Mahony said.

"It has to come down to the players, I don't know where the stick aimed at the coaches is coming from.

"We're the ones who have made decisions on the pitch and have made mistakes at times. It's on our heads, we're the ones who are not delivering.

"All 23 of us in the squad against Italy and everyone in the extended training squad are 100% behind the coaching staff.

"That will be the case until they move on, which hopefully won't be any time soon."