Jerry Flannery's impressive impact at international level was confirmed yesterday when the Shannon hooker was named Ireland's Six Nations player of the tournament.
Flannery topped the poll, voted by the media on behalf of team sponsors Sure For Men, ahead of his Munster team-mates Paul O'Connell and Denis Leamy.
One imagines Shane Horgan and captain Brian O'Driscoll were not too far behind, especially considering their performances last Saturday.
The Ireland players' attention has already switched back to the Celtic League, and for Munster, Leinster (idle this weekend) and Connacht the European Cup and European Challenge Cup quarter-finals are just 10 days away.
Munster received good news when an MRI scan revealed no tissue or ligament damage to Leamy's injured ankle. The joint remains badly bruised, which rules him out of Saturday's Celtic League match against the Llanelli Scarlets at Stradey Park, but his chances of recovering for the Perpignan game at Lansdowne Road on Saturday week have improved.
Munster's other Ireland squad members took a full part in yesterday's training session at Temple Hill, as did Christian Cullen, Mike Mullins and Jeremy Manning. The returning trio are expected to be included tomorrow in the travelling squad.
Connacht coach Michael Bradley will name a team today for Friday's Celtic League meeting with the Borders at Netherdale. Prop Stephen Knoop is an injury concern, while centres Keith Matthews and James Downey are trying to regain match fitness ahead of the Challenge Cup quarter-final against Newcastle Falcons on March 31st.
Matthews is back running and Downey lines out in the All-Ireland league this Saturday for Clontarf against Belfast Harlequins.
Ulster coach Mark McCall will also announce a side today for Saturday's Celtic League game against Newport Gwent Dragons at Ravenhill. Andrew Trimble is a slight concern after picking up a knock last Saturday. Ulster's only chance of silverware this season is the Celtic League - they top the table with five games remaining.
The returning internationals will at least be fresh as, apart from Trimble and Tommy Bowe, they mainly warmed the bench during the Six Nations.
The last-gasp victory over England, to secure an eighth Triple Crown, sees Ireland climb to fifth in the IRB world rankings with England slipping to sixth, just above Wales and Scotland. France are third behind New Zealand and South Africa.
Italy's vastly improved efforts this season are not reflected as they drop to 12th.
World rankings
1, New Zealand 93.32
2, South Africa 88.76
3, France 85.95
4, Australia 83.93
5, IRELAND 82.74
6, England 80.59
7, Wales 78.64
8, Scotland 77.70
9, Argentina 75.16
10, Samoa 73.97
