JERRY FLANNERY rose to national prominence last season on foot of some eye-catching displays for Munster.

Strong at the set piece and deceptively quick in the loose, Flannery made the most of an injury to Frankie Sheahan (neck) to impress for the province, whilst his purple patch coincided with a dip in form for Ireland's long-time first choice hooker Shane Byrne.

Educated at St. Munchin's College and University College Cork, Flannery made his Ireland senior debut as a replacement against Romania in November 2005. A voracious trainer, the Limerick man scored two tries in Munster's Heineken Cup-winning campaign.

 

Flannery crowned his first start and Six Nations debut against Italy in February 2006 with his first try. He also started against France, Scotland, Wales and played in the Triple Crown-winning game against England as he quickly became one of Ireland's first-choice forwards. His first appearance against the All Blacks came in June, but shoulder surgery saw him sidelined for much of last season.

Back fully fit, Flannery fought his way back into contention for the 2007 Six Nations, playing in all five matches but Ulster's Rory Best was the man in possession of the number 2 jersey for the entire tournament.

Flannery featured as a substitute for Rory Best in the Rugby World Cup but suspension and injury again ruled him out of contetnion for the 2008 RBS 6 Nations