Injury forces Horgan out of Ireland squad

Shane Horgan has been forced out of the Ireland squad for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Italy.

Shane Horgan has been forced out of the Ireland squad for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Italy.

The winger sustained a hamstring injury in yesterday's brilliant 36-6 win over Scotland in Murrayfield. He was replaced, after 27 minutes, by Geordan Murphy.

British and Irish Lion Rob Henderson steps up from the A squad as cover.

Munster winger John Kelly lost out to Murphy for a place in the last squad but will train with the panel this week as Girvan Dempsey has a slight groin strain. The full back will not train tomorrow.

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Coach Eddie O'Sullivan, who will name his starting XV on Wednesday, is facing a selection dilemma with Ronan O'Gara in line for a return at out-half following injury.

David Humphreys deputised against Scotland and bagged 26 of Ireland's 36 points. O'Sullivan could stick with the Ulster man for the weekend and afford O'Gara more rest before the France game at home on March 8th.

Italy's surprise win over Wales has added a new edge to Saturday's tussle at the Stadio Flaminio, where Ireland enjoyed a 41-22 success two years ago.

"It certainly won't be easy," said Humphreys. "But we believe, if we play to our potential, we can match most teams at the minute."

Ireland have the backs to match any team in the competition but O'Sullivan knows his team will first have to overcome a tough physical battle with the Italians.

"I knew they had the potential to cause major problems for any team in the Six Nations," he said.

"They're a very physical team with a very strong pack of forwards and very smart half-backs and that combination is very hard to play against.

"They were certainly up for the game against Wales and, let me tell you, after that result, they're going to be up for it against us."

Ireland:

Forwards: Shane Byrne (Leinster/Blackrock College), Reggie Corrigan (Leinster/Greystones), Victor Costello, (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Leo Cullen (Leinster/Blackrock College), Anthony Foley (Munster/Shannon) Vice Captain, Keith Gleeson (Leinster/St. Mary's College), John Hayes (Munster/Shannon), Marcus Horan (Munster/Shannon), Gary Longwell (Ulster/Ballymena), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Alan Quinlan (Munster/Shannon), Frank Sheahan (Munster/Cork Constitution).

Backs: Girvan Dempsey (Leinster/Terenure College), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Denis Hickie (Leinster/St. Mary's College), Rob Henderson (Munster / Young Munster), David Humphreys (Ulster/Dungannon) Vice Captain, Kevin Maggs (Bath), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Cork Constitution), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Blackrock College) Captain, Peter Stringer (Munster/Shannon). * Additional player - John Kelly (Munster/Cork Constitution).

Ireland A:

Forwards: Simon Best (Ulster/Belfast Harlequins), Peter Bracken(Connacht/Galwegians), James Blaney (Munster/Shannon), Jeremy Davidson(Ulster/Dungannon), Kieron Dawson (London Irish), Simon Easterby (Llanelli),Justin Fitzpatrick (Ulster/Dungannon), Aidan McCullen (Leinster /Lansdowne), Eric Miller (Leinster/Terenure College), Mick O'Driscoll(Munster/ Cork Constitution), Donnacha O'Callaghan (Munster/ CorkConstitution), Paul Shields (Ulster/ Belfast Harlequins).

Backs: Paul Burke (Harlequins), Bryan Cunningham (Ulster / Dungannon),Gordon Darcy (Leinster/Lansdowne), Neil Doak (Ulster/ Belfast Harlequins),Barry Everitt (London Irish), A. N. Other, Brian O'Meara (Leinster/ CorkConstitution), David Quinlan (Leinster/Blackrock College), Jeremy Staunton(Munster/Garrryowen), James Topping (Ulster / Ballymena).