Twin target still well in our range, says upbeat Horan

MARCUS HORAN does not blame Welsh prop Gethin Jenkins for the neck injury he sustained in Ireland’s victory over Wales.

While Horan was worried the effect the incident would have on his wife and parents, who were watching at Lansdowne Road almost two weeks ago, he was also concerned for Jenkins - because the Welsh prop showed major concern when he fell accidently on Horan.

“Gethin was the guy involved, but I knew he felt really bad about the situation. It wasn’t an issue, just an incident that happens in any game. I was more concerned about his response than I was about myself.

“But I mentioned to the doctor that I heard a crunch or a crack, and he took immediate precautions,” Horan explained.

“To be honest, I felt fine the following morning. There wasn’t an issue; I knew there was no damage done and I feel better now than in the weeks leading up to the Welsh game.

“The biggest worry was being taken off the pitch. My wife and parents were up there in the stands and it was scary for them. I just wanted to make sure that they knew I was okay,” he added.

“I was moving fine, and I was ready to walk off, but the doctor told me to stay where I was. In the end, I was grateful for his advice because you can’t afford to take chances with an injury like that,” he said.

Horan revealed that he was back with his colleagues as quickly as possible and, of course, he trained with them on the Tuesday after the game.

It is a huge relief to Horan, whose participation in the Six Nations Championship was interrupted by his withdrawal, though illness, from the French match.

He admitted to having had a bad few weeks after a stomach bug ruled him out of that game. “It hasn’t been great,” he said.

Horan is looking forward now to a clear run before the Scottish game.

“The sickness before the French game knocked me out for two days.

“I was out of it and lost a bit of weight, but, ironically, I felt a lot fresher coming into the Welsh match,” he explained.

Horan is convinced Ireland are capable of big things.

“I watched the French game at home in Limerick. I was roaring at the referee in the first half, roaring at Ireland too, and roaring for Ireland in the second half. It was very close.”

With a Triple Crown and Championship still within Ireland’s sights, Horan is also aware the critics are waiting in the wings.

“A lot of people have been for or against us, but it’s important to realise that we’re not doing badly.

“I react the same way to someone patting me on the back as giving me a kick in the backside.

“We have got to recognise that we have to achieve, perform, and ultimately win.

“The most important thing is not to talk ourselves up when people are talking us up; not to feel down when people criticise us.

“We have certain things that we want to achieve and it’s really up to us to do it.

“The fans, though they can help, won’t win or lose games for us.

“There is something there for us to play for,” according to Horan,

“We have two games to play, two games to really achieve something special... and it’s not a bad position at this stage of the season.”