Frankie Sheahan's standing in Irish rugby appears to have been enhanced in his absence. There can be a good time to be sidelined, especially when a team is considered to be under-performing, as the scrutiny of individual performances tends to be magnified. The national side's stuttering performances in the November Test series meant that few escaped the critical glare.
Sheahan chuckles when it is suggested that the neck injury he suffered might have harboured a sliver of good fortune. It's not a mindset that strikes him as he deals with the frustration of rehabilitation. Having torn a ligament in his neck during Munster's opening Heineken Cup match against the Sale Sharks at Edgeley Road he has travelled to Germany in a bid to ensure a full and speedy recovery.
"I have gone to see one of the top specialists in the world for injuries like this in his clinic, about two hours from Frankfurt.
"He's been advising me and I'll be in a better position to know a comeback date in the next couple of weeks when we have spoken again. It's sore enough at the moment. I'm not allowed to get physiotherapy for it now; the neck has to be kept straight but I have been able to do some work on the bike and cross trainer in the gym.
"It's extremely frustrating as I was looking forward to being involved in the November Test series and playing for Munster in Europe. It could have been a great opportunity but that highlights the very nature of sport. Injuries occur and you just have to get on with it."
Sheahan has attended the odd match in the interim, preferring to go along to matches when crowds will be smaller to avoid jarring the injury. He'll go along this weekend to watch Munster host Ulster in the Celtic League at Musgrave Park.
He's watched Ireland's recent matches and been kept abreast by his team-mates. "There is an overwhelming feeling of disappointment. The All Blacks were a very good team and it's easier to accept losing that match while the Australian game could have gone either way up to a point. There's little point in dwelling on what's gone. It's about trying to improve and not repeat mistakes."
The only thing Sheahan can impact at present is his rate of recovery. He dismissed as "ridiculous" the recent media bouquets that were tossed his way with many observers pencilling him in as first choice hooker when Ireland begin the Six Nations Championship. "I'd love to be in contention and I will be hunting to get my place back when I recover but you realise that one man's misfortune is another's opportunity."
It's a fact of sporting life and he knows that in the upcoming series of matches Jerry Flannery (Munster), Rory Best (Ulster) and David Blaney/Bernard Jackman (Leinster) will have opportunities to try and put pressure on Ireland's first choice hooker Shane Byrne. Even given a favourable prognosis on the injury, Sheahan is unlikely to be back in competitive action prior to the New Year.
He knows he's got to be patient, grit his teeth and work on other aspects of his fitness. "I suppose I'm optimistic by nature so I'm hoping that I get the all clear soon to resume training. Obviously I'll be guided by the medical advice but it'll certainly test my patience."
CelticLeagueStandings
P W D L F A Tr B Pts
Munster 7 6 0 1 165 106 16 3 31
Edinburgh 8 6 0 2 185 129 22 3 27
Ulster 7 5 0 2 175 124 16 2 26
Leinster 7 4 0 3 165 155 13 2 22
Llanelli 6 3 0 3 117 107 13 3 19
Borders 7 3 0 4 94 112 8 2 18
Ospreys 7 4 0 3 109 135 9 1 17
Glasgow 7 2 0 5 153 152 17 5 17
Cardiff Blues 6 2 0 4 110 129 8 4 16
Dragons 6 2 0 4 98 118 10 3 15
Connacht 8 1 0 7 109 213 10 2 6
