Ireland call for Best and Horgan

International news : Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has added two players, Munster wing Anthony Horgan and Ulster hooker Rory…

International news: Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has added two players, Munster wing Anthony Horgan and Ulster hooker Rory Best, to the extended 35-man squad for Ireland's upcoming November Test series against New Zealand, Australia and Romania at Lansdowne Road.

Horgan, who scored a try in Munster's Heineken European Cup victory over Castres Olympique at Thomond Park on Saturday, emphatically proved his fitness and sharpness in that match.

Best will join his elder brother and Ulster captain Simon in the national squad, the 23-year-old hooker taking over from the injured Frankie Sheahan, who was forced out after damaging his neck last weekend.

Young Best has edged out Munster's Jerry Flannery, and Leinster duo Bernard Jackman and David Blaney, all of whom would have had reasonable claims to understudy Shane Byrne.

READ MORE

Blaney missed Leinster's win over Glasgow through injury, and Jackman was forced to retire early. And Flannery's man-of-the-match performance against Castres was obviously not quite enough to sway O'Sullivan.

The Irish squad will train together until next Friday, be released home for the weekend and reconvene on Sunday night in preparation for their opening Test, against New Zealand at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, November 12th.

Those named in the extended squad will not play Celtic League next weekend.

The match 22 will be confirmed for the All Black match on Wednesday week, when those who miss the cut will be released back to their provinces.

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer