Putting your body on the line

FEARLESSNESS on the rugby pitch is an ingredient to be admired, despite the attendant danger that some players will go a little over the top and put themselves needlessly at risk.

In his prime, Keith Wood was an obvious example. Nowadays, Jerry Flannery, one of his successors in the No 2 Munster jersey, seems to be going down a similar route. The manner in which he carries the ball and puts in his tackles is hugely exciting and impressive and why he has exploded onto the national scene.

Flannery hasn't been in the Munster team very long but since his introduction in place of Frankie Sheahan for the Heineken Cup game against Castres, he has caught the eye with his remarkable work rate and the manner in which he throws himself into the thick of the battle without any apparent consideration for his own safety.

"I don't think I'm particularly reckless on the field," he claims as he looks forward to this evening's European clash with the Newport Gwent Dragons at Thomond Park. "I'm fairly fit and like to try to get around and make a contribution and not just get there for the scrums and line-outs even though they are my basic duties. As for this game, the job isn't done and we haven't been sitting back just because we beat the Dragons away."

Having played there numerous times during his school days at St Munchins and subsequently with Shannon, Thomond Park is like a home from home to Flannery. Starting his first Heineken Cup game at the famous venue was something he'll savour, though: "Afterwards, I sat in the dressingroom and let it all sink in. I used to go to the matches when I was younger, then I was sitting on the bench and to be then actually part of it and to be successful was an unbelievable feeling. The buzz is incredible and the crowd gives you a big lift. They're so vocal, everybody is driving you on. I know it sounds corny but it's like having an extra player on the field. When somebody makes a break and you hear the crowd roaring, it sets the adrenalin going."

Flannery has waited a long time for this break; there's been more disappointments than triumphs so far. His dedication and resilience, though, have never been in doubt and never better exemplified than two years ago when he played a full Celtic League game for Munster on a Friday night before turning in a man of the match performance for Shannon in the final of the All-Ireland League the following afternoon at Lansdowne Road.

"I'm wary of getting too carried away", he says. "I've only been given this chance because Frankie was unlucky enough to get injured so I don't want to be going bananas. For my parents, Jerry and Jane, what's been happening is wonderful. They've put in a lot of time on my rugby since I started at eight years old up in Presentation and they were really buzzing after my first cap. I was delighted for them as much as for myself. But I just want to consolidate my position and keep winning with Munster. It can change very quickly."

Nobody should know that better than Flannery himself. He has always been a dynamic player, initially with Presentation and later at St Munchins College, Shannon and UCC and on through Connacht until finally arriving back in his native heath.

"Twelve months ago, I found it very frustrating", he admits. "When the guy ahead of you is playing very well and you're not getting too many games to show what you can do, it is difficult. The way this season kicked off, I felt it was going to be the same again. I don't know what way it might have gone had Frankie not picked up an injury. I don't really want to dwell on it. You don't wish an injury on anybody but that's how I got my break so I was lucky."

It's anybody's guess how things will work out for Flannery once Sheahan is fit again. Kidney and Eddie O'Sullivan are sure to monitor the situation closely with the former content to have to decide between two fine players, just as he'll have to do in the second-row shortly with the imminent return of Paul O'Connell to challenge the in-form Mick O'Driscoll and Donncha O'Callaghan.

For now, though, Flannery is happy to let his football do the talking and as proud of the first Irish cap for his family and friends as much as for himself.

"I suppose this could have been a make or break year. Now I just want to build, and not look back too much. I don't think the Castres game is everything. What's past is past. I'm aiming still higher and don't want to be living off that game. I want to secure the Munster number two jersey so that when Frankie comes back, he'll have to fight to get back into the team. I'm saying 'I've earned this jersey and it's mine'. Given the strength of the Munster squad, if you're starting with them, you're also in with a good shout with Ireland."

Time was when hooker wasn't exactly the most glamorous position on the rugby field. They were just expected to scrummage and ruck hard and that was very much it. They didn't even throw into the line-outs. It's a far different situation now with people like Keith Wood, Frankie Sheahan et al making the number two jersey one of the most visible and exciting on the field of play.

"Attitude is all important", Flannery says. "I've never seen a hooker who isn't a competitive person. It's not like the second-row where two lads can fit in. In the few years I've been with Munster, when they make changes, they don't often substitute the hooker so when you're in there, that's it, the other guy isn't getting a look in. That's where attitude comes in, you've got to want to be the best in everything ... line-out throwing, scrummaging, being able to see what's happening around you and react accordingly.

"Being a kind of leader in that respect is important. If things have to be changed a little bit during a game, you have to be able to analyse it and I've learned an awful lot from the older guys in the squad. In the modern game, the hooker is more of a back-row forward. There's a lot more asked of him in the area of a high work rate and I'd like to think I can contribute to the team in that regard."

You know for sure that's the last area in which Jerry Flannery will be found wanting this afternoon.