Jerry Flannery is expected to miss Autumn Internationals
Munster has confirmed that Jerry Flannery is unlikely to start in any of Ireland’s Autumn Internationals this November.
Flannery has already missed Ireland’s 21-23 defeat to the Springboks. He has now been ruled out of this week’s Test against Samoa on Saturday 13 November and the match against New Zealand on Saturday 20 November.
The hooker has a chance of returning for Ireland’s final Test against Argentina on Saturday 30 November.
Flannery injured his hamstring against Toulon in the Heineken Cup and will only return to training later this week.
“Jerry is doing very well, but we’re not going to be risking him at this stage, unless something remarkable happens in the interim,” said team manager Shaun Payne.
Ireland scrum-half Tomas O’Leary has also been ruled out of Declan Kidney’s squad. However, the scrum-half seems to have no chance in making any of the Autumn Internationals as it was confirmed that he is four to five weeks away from returning to competitive
action.
There was better news regarding Munster and British and Irish Lions captain Paul O’Connell, who took part in training after his long-term injury. The player should make his return against the Ospreys in December.
Munster coach Tony McGahan has named his squad to face Australia in a midweek match on Tuesday 16 November.
The province will be encouraged by their team’s performance in their 2008, 16-18 defeat to the All Blacks.
Payne will be hoping for a similar performance and once again Munster will have to cope without their Irish contingent.
The team manager was looking forward to the match against Australia in what will be a huge occasion at Thomond Park.
“It’s a unique spectacle. I know from the players it’s something they are really looking forward to, and I hope the spectators will buy into that as well,” said Payne.
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