Horgan on the Wing, Hayes on the Bench

Shane Horgan makes a welcome return to international rugby having been named on the Ireland side for the game against Romania while John Hayes (pictured training in Terregal) is listed among the replacements.

Horgan, who has not played for Ireland because of injury since togging out against Scotland in the Six Nations Championship, (Feb. 2002) returns on the right wing for the Rugby World Cup 2003 game against Romania at the Central Coast Stadium in Gosford on Saturday next, October 11th (kick-off 8am Irish time).

Having missed Ireland’s last 10 test games because of thigh injuries, Horgan is chosen in a back line that sees Denis Hickie selected for his 41st appearance to equal the record of most capped Irish winger held by Keith Crossan (1982-92).

The side will be captained by Keith Wood for the 32nd time in 54 matches. He becomes the fourth Irishman to have played in three World Cup tournaments, alongside Brendan Mullen and Neil Francis (1987, 91, and 95) and Terry Kingston (1991, 95 and 99)

Included among the replacements after injury are Hayes, who has not played for Ireland since March and wing/centre John Kelly, whose last appearance was in the pre-World Cup warm up game against Italy in August last.

*Ireland’s record against Romania is played 6, Won 6, Points for – 258, points against – 63.

Ireland.

15-Girvan Dempsey (Leinster-Terenure College)
14-Shane Horgan (Leinster-Lansdowne)
13-Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster-Blackrock College)
12-Kevin Maggs (Bath)
11-Denis Hickie (Leinster-St. Mary’s College)
10-David Humphreys (Ulster-Dungannon)
9-Peter Stringer (Munster-Shannon)
1-Marcus Horan (Munster-Shannon)
2-Keith Wood (Munster-Garryowen)(Captain)
3-Reggie Corrigan (Leinster-Greystones)
4-Malcom O’Kelly (Leinster-St. Mary’s College)
5-Paul O’Connell (Munster – Young Munster)
6-Victor Costello (Leinster-St. Mary’s College)
7-Keith Gleeson (Leinster-St. Mary’sCollege)
8-Anthony Foley (Munster-Shannon)

Replacements
16-Shane Byrne (Leinster-Blackrock College)
17-John Hayes (Munster- Shannon)
18-Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster-Cork Constitution)
19-Alan Quinlan (Munster-Shannon)
20-Guy Easterby (Rotherham)
21-Ronan O’Gara (Munster-Cork Constitution)
22-John Kelly (Munster- Cork Constitution)