Guscott tips Horan for spot on Lions tour

LIONS legend Jeremy Guscott has tipped Munster’s Marcus Horan to win a place on the tour to New Zealand this summer.

While Guscott expressed serious doubt about Munster’s ability to win the Heineken Cup, he reckons the province will produce a number of front line candidates for the Lions. Significantly, apart from Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer, they are all forwards.

“Horan has really impressed me. He can scrummage and has exceptional pace for a prop. He can do the hard yards in the tight games but likes to have a go from anywhere on the pitch. That’s what makes him such a valuable commodity,” Guscott said.

Paul O’Connell, he says, has only to stand up through the Six Nations tournament to claim a place in the party. “There’s not really anyone who can touch him at the moment. He’s great in the lineouts and a constant threat to opposition with the ball in his hands.”

Guscott also believes Donncha O’Callaghan could travel. “It will be important that he gets a run at some stage of the Six Nations just to keep his name up there in lights, but he’s a quality player and I’m sure Clive Woodward has taken note of what he achieved throughout the Heineken Cup campaign.”

Anthony Foley is another Munster forward to figure. “He has been one of the outstanding number eights in the Heineken Cup and through the autumn internationals. He just seems to get better and better as he gets older. The fact that he makes the yardage and scores the tries could be important to the Lions.”

Exposure at international level might pay off for John Hayes, Alan Quinlan and Denis Leamy, believes Guscott, who also pointed out that the name of David Wallace should not be forgotten. “He’s an accomplished player and it says something about the quality of the Munster back row that he’s being left out.”

He added: “The one Munster back with a great chance is Ronan O’Gara. Munster have missed his direction in the last couple of weeks but he will be back for the Six Nations and for the Heineken Cup quarter final, all of which will provide him with an opportunity to throw down a serious challenge.”