Two error-strewn performances have undermined Ireland’s championship and while they still managed to edge Italy, France escaped Dublin with a 25-22 victory.

Confidence levels have been sapped by the mixed results produced over the last year and Kidney hopes a vocal approach will inspire an upturn in fortunes.

“We’ve got a lot of good guys playing for us but some of them are a little bit quiet in themselves,” said the head coach.

“It’s always beneficial when guys talk on the pitch and we’ve been encouraging some fellas to speak up.

“It’s an ongoing thing and the more confidence some guys have on the pitch, in terms of feeling good about themselves, the more they’ll speak up.

“You want the outside guys to be the eyes of the guys on the inside, so you want everyone speaking up.

“The more of that you have, the easier things are to run. It’s got better and better over the last 12-18 months.

“When things go exactly the way you want, you can’t get fellas to stop talking, but if the ball bounces the wrong way, fellas go slightly quieter.”

Failing to make his voice heard is hardly an accusation that can be levelled at O’Gara, who will be winning his 106th cap on Sunday.

The 33-year-old’s recall at the expense of Jonathan Sexton will inject more leadership into a team that has become error-prone.

Apart from centres Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy, it was a young and inexperienced backline that lined up against Italy and France.

O’Gara’s presence – and the return of Tommy Bowe on the right wing – should introduce greater authority into the back line.

It will be O’Gara’s first start since facing Samoa in November, but he has made an impact from the bench against Italy, landing the match-winning drop-goal, and France already this month.

While Sexton has done little wrong, O’Gara is clearly viewed as the man to guide Ireland back to winning ways.

“Jonathan had a very good game against France but Ronan has been playing well too,” said Kidney.

“Jonathan was a very good player before we ever met him and he’s improved no end, but I wanted to give this game to Ronan.

“Ronan’s had a fruitful career to date and there’s a lot left in him. I hope he brings himself out there.”

A second, enforced, change to the half-backs sees Tomas O’Leary replaced by Eoin Reddan after suffering a recurrence of his back spasm in training today.

“In Tomas’ case we doesn’t want it to become a chronic thing,” said Kidney. “He needs a few days break to give it a complete rest because he has been pushing it.”

In total there are three changes to the side edged by France at Aviva Stadium with Bowe completing the new arrivals.

Bowe replaces Fergus McFadden on the right wing after recovering from the knee injury that forced him to miss the first two matches of the championship.

The 27-year-old Osprey played a full 80 minutes against Treviso last weekend and has been passed fit to face the Scots.

“There have been no restrictions on Tommy and he’s been able to train fully,” said Kidney. “He’s been going well and brings a wealth of experience into the side.”