RUGBY/European Cup:Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan is expected to name three hookers in an extended Six Nations squad this afternoon but the availability of Jerry Flannery and Rory Best in the coming weeks remains in doubt. Gavin Cummiskeyreports
According to RTÉ rugby analyst George Hook, Flannery is merely awaiting suspension after stamping on French flanker Julien Bonnaire in Munster's 26-19 defeat to ASM Clermont Auvergne in the Heineken European Cup last Sunday.
However, Achille Reali, the Italian ERC citing commissioner at the Parc Des Sports Michelin, has a 50-hour window from kick-off to identify a player for foul play. Nobody had been cited up to late last night but a disciplinary hearing is expected to be announced later today.
The incident is fairly damning in real time and from one slow-motion angle but the replay from behind the ruck shows another Clermont forward grabbing hold of Flannery's leg. The 29-year-old reacted, but any malicious intent has been denied.
A Clermont player may also have to explain the 20 stitches inserted into Ronan O'Gara's ear after he was coughed out of a ruck. Bonnaire also required stitching above the eye following the Flannery incident.
"We have no comment at present except to say we would pay no significance to what was said on television or radio shows," said a Munster source in reference to comments made on RTÉ by Hook, which he repeated on radio yesterday.
Munster expect O'Gara and John Hayes, replaced by Tony Buckley after 58 minutes, to be available for Saturday's visit of the European champions London Wasps to Thomond Park.
Rory Best returned to "pitch work" yesterday following a sprained ankle sustained against Leinster on December 26th. Depending on how he responds this week, the Ulster captain may be included in their European Cup squad to play Gloucester this Sunday at Kingsholm. Ulster cannot qualify but the English Premiership leaders need a win to ensure qualification as Pool Two winners.
News regarding the future of Rory's brother Simon Best will be known after the international tighthead meets a consultant in mid-February. Best was admitted to hospital in Bordeaux last September after he developed a loss of sensation on his right side, as well as a headache and a difficulty in speaking .
Meanwhile, Guy Easterby's short-term Leinster contract ends after Saturday's match against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road. The 28 times-capped international scrumhalf, now 36, was plucked from English national league two club Otley after Australian Chris Whitaker sustained a fractured ankle in Toulouse on November 18th.
Cillian Willis was demoted from the 22 - he made a try-scoring appearance for Greystones in the All-Ireland League last Saturday - with Easterby coming straight in for the 29-10 defeat in Edinburgh but he in turn lost out to Chris Keane. Whitaker is pencilled in for a return to action when Leinster play Cardiff Blues on February 16th in the Magners League.
Leinster retain a faint chance of making the knockout stages of the European Cup - they must beat Leicester with a bonus point and hope Edinburgh win in Toulouse.
Ollie Le Roux and Shane Horgan are still recovering from rib injuries. Coach Michael Cheika will probably have to make a decision on the make-up of his front row. Prop Stephen Knoop was replaced by 20-year-old Cian Healy at half-time against Toulouse last Saturday, with Stan Wright accommodating Healy by switching to tighthead.
