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Rugby Union

Horgan return boosts Ireland

07/02/2007

Ireland's attempt to build on their winning Six Nations start has been boosted by the return of injured winger Shane Horgan for the Croke Park visit of France.

The Leinster back picked up a knee injury while on Heineken Cup duty last month and had not been expected to feature in Ireland's opening three Six Nations matches.

But the 28-year-old returns as Eddie O'Sullivan sweats on the fitness of Brian O'Driscoll and Peter Stringer; with the skipper rated as just 50-50.

Isaac Boss and Geordan Murphy will remain on the bench if the key duo prove their fitness, but Andrew Trimble, who loses out to Horgan in the starting line-up, could well win a place alongside Eoin Reddan if either O'Driscoll or Stringer fail to make the grade.

If the latter proves to be true then Trimble will stay at right wing with Horgan set to partner Gordon D'Arcy in the centre, while Paul O'Connell will come in as a straight replacement for O'Driscoll.

Ireland team to play France

15 Girvan Dempsey, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Denis Hickie (all Leinster), 10 Ronan O'Gara (Munster), 9 Peter Stringer, 1 Marcus Horan (Munster), 2 Rory Best (Ulster), 3 John Hayes, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 5 Paul O'Connell (all Munster), 6 Simon Easterby Llanelli Scarlets, 7 David Wallace, 8 Denis Leamy (both Munster).

Replacements
16 Jerry Flannery (Munster), 17 Simon Best (Ulster), 18 Mick O'Driscoll (Munster), 19 Neil Best (Ulster) or Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), 20 Isaac Boss (Ulster) or Eoin Reddan (Wasps), 21 Paddy Wallace (Ulster), 22 Geordan Murphy (Leicester) or Andrew Trimble (Ulster).

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