Horgan: shadow Irish side will give coaches food for thought

IRELAND A skipper Shane Horgan believes tonight’s game at Ravenhill, Belfast (7pm) against Tonga provides the opportunity for players to ask some questions of the senior coaches.

The Leinster winger is one of a number of experienced senior internationals on the team to face the South Sea Islanders, and certainly he has not hidden the fact that it offers the chance to get back into the senior set-up.

“Some people will be disappointed at not making the cut on the senior side for the November tours, but I think everyone who is playing on the A team also realises there is a good base there and a real opportunity to put the hand up and lay down a marker to the coaches.