Flannery back in five weeks

Munster and Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery has heard that he should be able to return to rugby within five weeks following a minor operation on his Achilles yesterday.

It was originally feared that his participation in the business end of the Heineken Cup was in jeopardy.

It will also come as a massive relief to Ireland coach Declan Kidney as Ulster’s Rory Best had already been ruled out of the Six Nations.