Coach gambles on injured Horgan

SHANE HORGAN has been included in Ireland’s 30-man World Cup squad despite sustaining a knee ligament injury in the warm-up to the international against Scotland in Murrayfield on Saturday.

Coach Eddie O’Sullivan didn’t spring any major surprises, deciding as expected on a 16/14 forward/back ratio and naming just three specialist second rows to allow more scope for six players in the back row, one of them (Alan Quinlan) who can double if necessary as lock.

That’s bad news for the likes of the terribly unlucky Mick O’Driscoll who could have argued a case for his ability to play in both the second and back rows, Trevor Hogan and Leo Cullen. However, the decision to name 14 backs was perfect for Munster’s Rugby League convert Brian Carney, who did enough in the defeat by Scotland to get the nod ahead of Tommy Bowe.