Horgan drafted into ‘A’ team to take on Saxons

SHANE HORGAN will start Ireland A’s clash with England Saxons at Welford Road next Friday.

Horgan has been struggling with a knee injury and Ireland head coach Eddie O’Sullivan has opted to give him a run-out for the second string to prove his fitness.

The line-up includes the usual blend of youth and experience with Alan Quinlan and Frankie Sheahan among the veterans, while Luke Fitzgerald and Cian Healy are emerging prospects.

But there’s no room for Leo Cullen, Keith Gleeson or Johnny O’Connor, all of whom were ignored by O’Sullivan who felt it was futile to play them for the sake of it.

Cullen might have enjoyed a return to his former stomping ground of Welford Road, but O’Sullivan has deemed it more important to give Trevor Hogan and Ryan Caldwell valuable game time.

“There were a number of senior players not considered in the A team as we felt that it would be of less benefit to them as they either had enough experience or had enough games under their belts”, said Eddie O’Sullivan.

The coach named Gavin Duffy at full back, Leicester player John Murphy on the right wing and has pitched Luke Fitzgerald into the centre.

Ospreys signing Tommy Bowe is named on the wing and Isaac Boss returns after an impressive outing for Ulster in the Heineken Cup at Kingsholm last week against Gloucester.

O’Sullivan said: “It gives us the chance to give experience to some players at this level and in particular positions.

“For example Luke Fitzgerald starts in the centre while we can take a look at Cian Healy and Ryan Caldwell.

“The game also allowed us to give runs to other more experienced players who may not have been starting for the provinces or who were returning from injury, such as Shane Horgan, Trevor Hogan and Alan Quinlan.”

Meanwhile, England Saxons head coach, Steve Bates, has named a 27-man squad.

There is call ups for Ben Skirving (Saracens), George Skivington (London Wasps), Harlequin Will Skinner and Newcastle Falcons’ James Grindal.

The team to play Ireland A will be announced on Wednesday.

England Saxons training squad for Ireland A: Forwards: J Crane (Leicester); P Dowson (Newcastle); D Hartley (Northampton); J Hobson (Bristol); N Kennedy (London Irish); M Lipman (Bath); M Lund (Sale); L Narraway (Gloucester); D Paice (London Irish); T Palmer (Wasps); W Skinner (Harlequins); B Skirving (Saracens); G Skivington (Wasps); D Wilson (Newcastle); N Wood (Gloucester); B Woods (Newcastle).

Backs: N Abendanon (Bath); A Allen (Gloucester); D Armitage (London Irish); M Brown (Harlequins); L Dickson (Newcastle); S Geraghty (London Irish); J Grindal (Newcastle); P Hodgson (London Irish); R Lamb (Gloucester); J Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester); T Varndell (Leicester).