Horgan and Flannery join squad

AMID an injury crisis of unprecedented levels, and in the midst of preparations for one of the most anticipated clashes of his reign, there was finally some positive injury news for Declan Kidney last night.

The Irish Examiner understands that both Shane Horgan and Jerry Flannery have been given the all clear to join up with the Ireland squad on their southern hemisphere tour and the duo were last night en route to boost the panel in time for the weekend. The Leinster winger and Munster hooker should arrive in Auckland this morning Irish time and will join the 33-strong group in New Plymouth.

The pair will now boost a squad stripped of a host of front-line payers and could play a part against the New Zealand Maori in Roturua on Friday week. More crucially both Horgan, who had a stomach complaint, and Flannery, who feared a recurrence of a calf injury, should be in full harness for the Test showdown with the Wallabies in Brisbane on June 26th.