Injury rules Horgan out of Kidney's 43-man squad

Rugby:FOUR UNCAPPED players are included in the 43-man squad Declan Kidney takes to Carton House in just over a week's time as Ireland step into Rugby World Cup mode. Injury to Leinster's Shane Horgan also means the 32-year-old wing will miss out on playing in what would surely have been a final World Cup.

The Ireland coach has picked many familiar faces and has also included fullback and wing Felix Jones, Connacht prop Brett Wilkinson, backrow and flanker Mike McCarthy and Munster scrumhalf Conor Murray, all of whom have yet to gain an Ireland senior cap.

As always with large squads, those left out are as talked about as those included and, although few will seriously quibble with the majority of Kidney’s picks, there will be some disappointed faces around the provinces. Rhys Ruddock, Dan Tuohy, John Muldoon, Jamie Hagan, Fionn Carr and Johne Murphy did not make the group. But in that respect Kidney had some reassuring words.

“There are players who we have identified as part of the larger Rugby World Cup squad who maybe not be in the first camp and will be based with their provincial and club fitness staff,” said the coach. “But that may change as we go through June and July so none of that larger group are necessarily out of contention for the final squad.”

Still, the rump of players that served Ireland throughout last season’s Autumn Internationals and Six Nations tournament are back in harness and they move to Carlton House on June 27th for the first of three training camps during June and July.

The final World Cup squad of 30 travelling players will be picked the week prior to Ireland’s match against England at the Aviva Stadium on August 27th, which means Kidney is going to have to shed 13 over the next few months. The squad leaves for New Zealand three days after the game against England on September 30th.

It is a particular blow to Horgan, who had a renaissance season on the Leinster wing, topped with a Heineken Cup medal. He would have had an outside chance of making the squad if not for his poorly knees, which have required surgery.

Also injured are Ulster’s Nevin Spence, a player on the up and who will have his time again, while 29-year-old Ian Humphreys has also perhaps seen his last chance of a World Cup pass.

All three had surgery on long standing injuries, which means they can not take part in the Rugby World Cup conditioning schedule. Thus there is no possibility of playing in the August Test matches against Scotland, France and England prior to the World Cup.

A few other players are coming back from injury but are healthy enough to be included. Leinster flanker Shane Jennings, who broke his arm towards the end of the season and tighthead prop Tony Buckley, who had a minor procedure on a shoulder, have recovered sufficiently to take part in summer conditioning.

“This is the first step in preparation for the Rugby World Cup and the group called into out first camp shows there is competition for places right across the board,” added Kidney.

“The aim three years ago was to deepen the strength of the squad and there are a number of players that have come through in that time in either playing with their provinces or with the Wolfhounds and the Ireland team. There are big challenges ahead for the group with the coming pre-season and then five games in August.” Among the 19 backs selected, the breakdown is five scrumhalves and three outhalves, depending on how Paddy Wallace is now perceived. Eleven other players cover centre, wing and fullback, with Fergus McFadden capable of playing centre and wing, and he can kick as well.

There are 11 frontrows included in the 24 forwards and fans will be pleased to see hooker Jerry Flannery back. Connacht prop Wilkinson qualifies on the residency rule and has already played for the Wolfhounds.

There are eight backrows again, depending on how Mike McCarthy and Donncha Ryan qualify as they can play in the second or back rows if required. If Ryan is included as a lock that makes five alongside Leo Cullen, Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan and Mick O’Driscoll.

Jones and Murray have impressed with Munster this season. Both know they are in competitive positions, with Murray challenging Isaac Boss, Eoin Reddan, Peter Stringer and Tomás O’Leary. Jones is in with a blizzard of Irish backline talent, including fullback Rob Kearney, back after a long spell out with a knee injury.