RUGBY NEWS:MARCUS HORAN will make a welcome return to action on Saturday in Shannon's Munster Senior Cup semi-final against UCC in Limerick. The 66-times capped loose head prop complained of dizziness during the Heineken Cup match against Treviso on October 17th, prompting medical tests that led to minor surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat.
The 32-year-old’s enforced lay- off began a propping crisis in Munster. Dave Ryan and Darragh Hurley (eye abrasion) are still on the casualty list that forced the signing of Springbok Wian du Preez on a short-term contract.
Presuming Horan comes through his first outing for Shannon since returning from injury against Garryowen three seasons ago, he is expected to feature in the away leg against Treviso in mid-January. A complete recovery by Horan would surely ignite a fierce battle for the Irish number one jersey after the rise to prominence of Leinster’s Cian Healy in his absence.
The operation was described as a “routine medical procedure,” some way short of the seriousness of fellow international prop Simon Best’s heart problem that ended his career when in camp at the 2007 World Cup in France.
In fact, former Munster and Ireland hooker Frankie Sheahan underwent a similar procedure to Horan’s in June 2008 with the same doctor, Gerry Fahy. Sheahan resumed playing the following season.
The Limerick man returned to full training just before Christmas and the Munster management now feel he is in need of game exposure – although probably not 80 minutes. Shannon coach Colm Tucker is happy to oblige the provincial request.
The good news comes in the wake of serious injuries recently suffered by Luke Fitzgerald (ruptured knee against Australia), Denis Leamy (chipped knee bone and cruciate against Perpignan) and Felix Jones, who remains under supervision in hospital after damaging neck ligaments against Connacht on St Stephen’s Day.
Jerry Flannery remains a concern with an Achilles problem but it is hoped the Irish hooker will come back into consideration for the Six Nations in February. Hurley’s eye abrasion also required a hospital visit after it flared up recently. Tony McGahan, like his fellow provincial coaches, must work around the IRFU international player management scheme with all the internationals rested ahead of Saturday’s trip north to Ravenhill.
A fairly similar team to the one that easily dismissed Connacht last weekend is expected to be announced tomorrow. Obviously, Jones and Ronan O’Gara are gone so Paul Warwick is expected to shift to outhalf with Denis Hurley returning to fullback as Ian Dowling and Doug Howlett start on the wings.
Meanwhile, Ulster Rugby will refund supporters who travelled to Belgium for the abandoned Stade Francais match, and were unable to attend the rearranged fixture in Paris the following day. Refunds will take place from Monday, January 4th, until Friday, January 8th, at the Ravenhill ticket office. Punters are required to present their unused tickets and a valid credit/debit card. The ticket office will remain open after the Ospreys match on January 8th.
Finally, Rob Kearney and Jamie Heaslip tries are included in the 15 nominations for the IRB best try of the season. After the controversy that dogged the awarding of Richie McCaw with world player of the year ahead of Brian O’Driscoll and Fourie du Preez, the IRB and International Rugby Players’ Association are conducting an online voting process. It can be done by logging onto IRB.com and then emailing votetry@irb.com with the number of your favourite try.
Heaslip’s memorable sidestep and powerful leg drive put Ireland two scores clear of the French at Croke Park in the opening Six Nations match while Kearney’s excellent Lions tour of South Africa was capped by an early touchdown in the definitive second Test, when he gathered a clever Stephen Jones offload before bursting through Frans Steyn and JP Pieterson. All the tries can be seen on Youtube.com.
MUNSTER (squad):S Deasy, D Hurley, D Howlett, I Dowling, T Gleeson, L Mafi, J de Villiers, P Warwick, D Williams, P Stringer, W du Preez, S Archer, J Brugnaut, T Buckley, D Varley, D Fogarty, M Sherry, M O'Driscoll, D Ryan, A Quinlan, B Holland, N Ronan, T O'Donnell, N Williams.
