Mixed emotions for Reddan

Rugby:Eoin Reddan will have conflicting emotions when Ireland revisit the setting for probably the greatest moment in the nation's rugby history. It is two years since Declan Kidney's side Was crowned Grand Slam champions with a 17-15 triumph over Wales at the Millennium Stadium, but, that day Reddan was watching from afar.

Having established himself as first-choice scrumhalf in the previous two seasons, he fell out of favour in 2009. While Ireland were busy plotting their route to the Grand Slam, Reddan was on club duty with Wasps. It was a frustrating experience for the 28-year-old, who is now at Leinster. that strengthened his resolve to reclaim his place in the squad.

"I have mixed feelings of playing in Cardiff if I'm to be brutally honest," he said. "I was delighted to watch the lads lift the Grand Slam because I had so many friends in Irish rugby. But at the same time when we were beating England that year, I was on a bus home with Wasps after getting beaten by Worcester away, which wasn't so glamorous a fixture.

"The day after we won the Grand Slam in Cardiff, I was playing Bristol. That day was great for Irish rugby and very positive, but for those who weren't there it made you want to be involved.

"It makes you want to contribute your own little bit, giving motivation to add something positive that you can be proud of yourself."

There is less at stake in Saturday's RBS 6 Nations trip to Cardiff after France ruined Irish hopes of a second Grand Slam in three years, but it remains a key match.

Victory would keep Ireland in the title hunt, even if England's vastly superior points difference suggests success is beyond them, while defeat would crank up the pressure on a team already under fire.

Narrow, error-strewn and indisciplined performances in their three Six Nations matches so far have provided their critics with plenty of ammunition. The negativity has been noted - Brian O'Driscoll has accused media pundits of being the source - and Reddan admits some of it is fair.

"The feeling of having the negatives pointed out, compared to the hurt you feel in a loosing dressing room, is minuscule," he said. "It doesn't really matter what's been said. Players might get exasperated by it.

"People are entitled to their opinion, some of them like to focus on positives and some of them on negatives. Our job is to win the game and perform well on Saturday. You can't rely on what's said to motivate you to play well.

"Everyone's asking us about penalties and if you look at the facts, people have to ask us about that. I'm not surprised really. Saturday is a game that if we won by a point, regardless of performance, most people would be telling us we're great."

Reddan celebrated his first start at scrum-half since November by scoring a try in the 21-18 victory over Scotland.

He has been retained alongside half-back partner Ronan O'Gara, who voiced his frustration at Murrayfield at the perception that he plays a different type of game to Jonathan Sexton, his rival for the number 10 jersey.

Reddan sympathises with O'Gara, hinting at his own eagerness to avoid being pigeon-holed.

"A top class player might play in a certain way for a certain game. All of a sudden that becomes the way they play," he said. "Players often get put into a certain box when realistically they're able to do what they want. Both Ronan and Jonathan would probably say that. We're all striving to be the best we can be, so that means being able to do everything.

"If you're put in a box then it says you can't do other things, which is unfair. Some games require a certain skill set that you require over and over again, but it's what's needed on that day."