Rugby:Declan Kidney insists Ireland may benefit from Peter O'Mahony's unexpected participation in tomorrow's Six Nations clash with Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.

The Munster player was promoted to the starting XV after openside Seán O’Brien was ruled out of the game with a foot infection.

The 22-year-old O’Mahony is far less experienced - tomorrow will be his third cap and first start - but Kidney believes that may hinder Scotland.

“The benefit of the change is that Scotland won’t have been able to analyse him as much as if he’d several caps under his belt,” said Kidney.

“You can look at this as a disruption to us, but maybe it’s a disruption to Scotland. Perhaps they’ll have been anticipating a different type of challenge. They may have to adjust to us now.”

O’Mahony is a more natural openside than O’Brien, who moved across the backrow during the World Cup, but the loss of the reigning European player of the year will be acutely felt.

“Peter has his own personal nuances and if he brings those into the game, it will be helpful to us,” Kidney said.

“He’s a young man and will be looking forward to the game. He’s dealt well with everything that’s been thrown at him to date.

“I’m sure he’ll be churning a bit under the water, but if you’re not churning you shouldn’t be here.

“It’s unfortunate to have someone of Seán’s calibre out of the side, but you take your opportunity in life in whatever way you get it.

“I’m sure Peter’s looking forward to putting down a marker tomorrow. Seán had bit of a setback in the week but the medical advice is that he’ll be able to train from Tuesday next week.”