Flannery announces arrival loud and clear

THE QUIET apprentice became the noisy enforcer at Thomond Park on Saturday.

With his blonde locks blowing in the breeze, Jerry Flannery had the man-of-the-match award sewn up at half-time and scribes in the vicinity were desperately searching for some stats on the Limerick lad. Any A caps? Has Eddie O'Sullivan even got his number?

Castres prop Kees Meeuws searched out the hooker afterwards and looked for a shirt swap. With that gesture from the former All Black great, you knew Flannery had arrived.