According to Ireland flanker Kieron Dawson, the form shown by Irish sides in the Heineken Cup has given the team a massive confidence boost going into the RBS 6 Nations.

"Confidence is very high on the back of Munster and Leinster both doing very well in the Heineken Cup and Ulster showing an improvement in form," Dawson told Virgin Media.

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"I think in years gone past, it was always very important when we played England and France but this year I think it's when we play Wales and we're playing them in the Millennium Stadium in the 'Super Saturday' at the end of the 6 Nations so it really could come down to that game."

Ireland have a new coach in Declan Kidney for their 6 Nations campaign and Dawson thinks his winning pedigree will make a big difference.

"I have a lot of experience with Declan who coached me from schools all the way through and he really is a player's coach who listens to the players and makes sure they're all involved. he's also a winning coach, coming from a background at Munster where he's been very successful so hopefully they can bring that passion through to the Ireland team."

And while he thinks the change of coach is a good thing, Dawson is of the opinion the same thing should have been done regarding a change of captain.

"I think it was perhaps time for a new captain. They have brought in a Munster coach and i think they should have brought in a Munster captain and Paul O'Connell was the stand out candidate. it would also have taken some of the pressure off Brian because Ireland is a small place and a bit of a goldfish bowl. it may have improved his game too."

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