Criticism was ‘red rag’ to Horan

MARCUS HORAN saw the RBS Six Nations victory over Italy as an unheralded triumph for the Irish front row, a unit he believes has been unfairly maligned for too long.

After Ireland’s front row trio of Horan, Jerry Flannery and John Hayes enjoyed a comfortable afternoon in Rome, Horan said the pre-match criticism was akin to a red rag to a bull. “It was a huge personal motivational factor,” said the seasoned loose head.

“I thought we have been going well all season; it hasn’t been an issue, at least not to us; the one thing we always do is respect the opposition, that’s the key for us, there was probably a lack of respect during the week (from the other side) and I welcomed it, it’s a red rag to a bull.