Flannery Returns To Munster Squad

Jerry Flannery is back in a Munster squad for the first time since he was suspended for kicking an opponent in Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations loss to France last month.

He is one of three hookers named in the Munster panel for Friday night’s Magners League encounter with arch rivals Leinster.

19 of the players on duty for the province’s 27-19 win over Glasgow Warriors last week have been included again, with Julien Brugnaut, Denis Hurley and Duncan Williams the three to miss out.

Winger Hurley, a try scorer against Glasgow, picked up a hamstring injury in last Friday’s game and has been ruled out.

Munster are coming off the back of a two-day training camp in Tipperary, with the returning Ireland internationals boosting the province’s selection options for the interprovincial derby.

Head coach Tony McGahan has welcomed back team captain Paul O’Connell, Tomas O’Leary, Keith Earls, John Hayes, Flannery and David Wallace from Six Nations duty.

Tony Buckley, another of the Ireland contingent, is also in contention to play on Friday. He was due to feature against Glasgow but a chest infection meant he was a late withdrawal.

Tom Gleeson, Dave Ryan and Scott Deasy, who lined out for their clubs in the AIB League over the weekend, have made the extended panel again, but unfortunate centre Barry Murphy is an absentee after suffering a further setback with his ankle injury when playing for UL Bohemians last Saturday. 

MUNSTER Squad (v Leinster) – Backs (11): Tomas O’Leary, Peter Stringer, Ronan O’Gara, Paul Warwick, Lifeimi Mafi, Jean de Villiers, Tom Gleeson, Keith Earls, Ian Dowling, Doug Howlett, Scott Deasy.

Forwards (16): Marcus Horan, Dave Ryan, John Hayes, Tony Buckley, Denis Fogarty, Jerry Flannery, Damien Varley, Donncha O’Callaghan, Mick O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Niall Ronan, Nick Williams, James Coughlan, Billy Holland.