Horan and Best’s return adds to Irish Six Nations options

THE return of Marcus Horan and Rory Best to international competition at the Recreation Ground, Bath, on Sunday (2pm) is a timely boost to Ireland’s hopes of another successful RBS Six Nations Championship.

Both front-row forwards are included in the Ireland A squad to take on England Saxons in a repeat of last year’s Churchill Cup final, and they will get what team manager Paul McNaughton described as “much needed and welcome game time”.

The availability of Best, following a neck operation early in September to correct a disc problem, is more unexpected than the availability of Horan with McNaughton remarking: “We really didn’t expect Rory would be back playing much before April; that was the original suggestion but he is ready to go, has been in full contact training and has some game time behind him now. This weekend will give him an opportunity to progress further, as it will Marcus.”