An honest scrummager, Horan debuted against the United States in 2000, but had to wait over two years for his second cap against Fiji. The Limerick man scored his third Test try as a replacement against Wales in March 2005 and was Ireland’s only try-scorer in the November 2005 defeat by New Zealand.

He nabbed his fifth try in the 2006 win over South Africa and was ever-present in the 2007 Six Nations championship, apart from the Scotland game which he missed due to a calf strain.

Horan was part of the 2007 RWC squad and also the 2008 RBS 6 Nations featuring in every game and notching up his sixth try in spectacular fashion against Scotland.

Injury saw him slip down the order at Munster but he has made a strong comeback this season.