Old head Horan glad to mix it with Ireland’s new faces

AS THE 15 that started last Saturday sat out training at the Rotorua Stadium yesterday afternoon, Marcus Horan found himself to be an old head among the fresh faces.

There hasn’t been a raft of withdrawals so much as a ferry full of inured players for Declan Kidney to contend with. With the Maoris hoping to rub salt into Ireland’s open wounds, the experienced Horan is feeding off the fringe men ahead of Friday’s clash.

“Yeah I think that’s maybe what this tour is about. There’s a good mix there and it’s about trying to get the blend right,” said the veteran loose head.

“From my point of view I don’t think it’s a one-way street in terms of [helping the young guys]. You do get a lot off them too. Their enthusiasm and their drive is infectious for the rest of us. It’s a two-way street and everyone is working well off each other.”

If the power of the All Blacks front row was tough to contend with last weekend, then the Maori won’t be too far removed. But Horan is targeting an unlikely first win of the tour here in Rotorua to raise the spirits in the wake of that 66-28 humbling.

“You always want to get your first win on the road. It’s tough mentally for guys to get back and get the heads right but we’ve had a meeting there this morning and lads are keen to just get back on the pitch and put things right. The few of us that weren’t involved maybe need to drive that on and build it.”

Cian Healy struggled in New Plymouth but it was a rare bad outing for the Leinster tyro. After an injury-interrupted 12 months, Horan is finding it difficult to re-establish himself in Kidney’s plans. He sees Friday as the perfect chance to do just that

“Yeah I’m coming at it from a different angle [to the rookies] I suppose – the disappointment of not being involved in a Test,” added the 66-cap front rower. “But with all the guys around coming at it from different angles, you have to draw on their enthusiasm as well and my own drive to try and break back into the team. It’s a new challenge and one I look forward to.”