Horgan in Leinster squad to face Blues

Feb 13 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

IRELAND winger Shane Horgan has been included in the Leinster squad for Saturday’s Magners League clash with the Blues.

Horgan completed his rehabilitation from a rib injury in Ireland A’s defeat by England Saxons on February 1, but is still short of game time.

The 29-year-old was named on the bench for Saturday’s 26-21 Six Nations loss to France, but failed to make an appearance.

A disappointing display from Geordan Murphy, whose wing yielded three tries to the marauding Vincent Clerc, could see the Leicester back axed.

Horgan would be the natural choice to step in – provided coach Eddie O’Sullivan overlooks Tommy Bowe and Luke Fitzgerald once again – with Leinster’s match against the Blues offering an invaluable run-out in preparation.

Fitzgerald also features in a 24-man Leinster party that includes extended Ireland squad members Leo Cullen, Keith Gleeson, Shane Jennings and Trevor Hogan.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh coach Andy Robinson has called three Scotland internationals into his starting line-up for Friday’s Magners League match against Munster.

Allister Hogg, Gavin Kerr and Hugo Southwell come in for the Murrayfield contest after taking part in Scotland’s 30-15 defeat by Wales on Saturday.

And centre Nick De Luca, who made his first two appearances for Scotland this month, is named among the replacements for the Scottish side.

Scotland next play Ireland in Dublin on February 23 and national coach Frank Hadden spoke of his concern about a lack of match fitness in his squad ahead of the opening Six Nations defeat by France.

Robinson was delighted to be given the go-ahead by Hadden, a former Edinburgh boss, as third-placed Edinburgh chase a fifth successive Magners League win.

The former England coach said, “Our focus is on beating Munster, so we have picked a side that can beat them and it is good that they are coming back in.

“The squad members that stayed behind here at Edinburgh have been training hard and everyone realises it is important that we put a performance together.”

In a new-look back division, back rower Roland Reid has been handed the No 11 shirt and Robinson believes the 17st player’s power will be an asset on the wing.

He added, “We looked at how we could get the best out of Roly.

“We feel that having that power and pace out wide will give us some extra options in our attacking play.”

Tonga full-back Josh Taumalolo will leave Bristol at the end of the season, the club have confirmed.

Taumalolo, who previously had spells with Ebbw Vale and Bridgend, was contracted to the Guinness Premiership outfit until 2009, but requested early release in order to spend more time with his Tonga-based family.

“I’ve played in Britain for a long, long time and I need to go for a change,” said the 31-year-old.

“I would love to stay at Bristol, but my family is now more important to me.”

Taumalolo made 19 starts last season, but has since found opportunities limited by the emergence of Luke Arscott as first-choice full-back.