Rugby:Jerry Flannery's appeal to reduce a six-week suspension imposed last month was turned down this morning. Perhaps more importantly for the Ireland hooker, a cross-appeal from the Six Nations disciplinary officer which could have seen his ban increased was also dismissed.
A case of as-you-were then for Flannery, who will miss the remainder of the Six Nations. The Munster player will remain sidelined until March 29th, almost two weeks before the province’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Northampton.
Flannery received the sanction for a wild kick at Alexis Palisson during France’s 33-10 over Ireland on February 13th.
Following this morning’s hearing, the appeal committee, chaired by Jeff Blackett (England), found that “the level of net mitigation applied was within the correct margin of appreciation”.
Flannery pleaded guilty at the original hearing, but after apologising and expressing remorse for the offence he and the Irish camp felt the sentence was harsh.
However, the appeal had left him open to the risk of collecting a longer ban as a counter-appeal was lodged that enabled the committee to increase the length of Flannery's suspension.
Rory Best replaced Flannery for last weekend’s Six Nations win over England and is likely to continue in that role against Wales on Saturday week.
The Ireland squad reconvened at Carton House in Maynooth today for a two-day get together where Brian O’Driscoll took full part in the session with Jamie Heaslip the only player who sat out.
O’Driscoll came through a psychometric (pre-cog) test prior to training after the captain took a blow to the head from Paul O’Connell’s knee during last Saturday’s win at Twickenham.
Every player undergoes a psychometric test in pre-season to be used as a reference point at any stage in the season and was passed fit from a neurological standpoint to resume training.
Heaslip suffered an ankle sprain against England, but it did not prevent him from completing the 80 minutes. He was rested today but is expected to be fit for what is likely to be an unchanged line-up against Wales at Croke Park on Saturday week.
The team that started against England are at Carton, while the remainder of the squad returned to their provinces ahead of this weekend’s Magners League action.
Andrew Trimble, who replaced O’Driscoll in Twickenham, and Paddy Wallace were the exceptions as they too trained at Carton but are expected to be available for Ulster’s Magners League game against the Scarlets on Friday night.
Leicester Tigers wing Johne Murphy also took part in today’s session at the Kildare venue where Spanish giants Real Madrid based themselves for pre-season training last year.
Tony Buckley and Ronan O’Gara are free to play for Munster at Rodney Parade on Saturday against the Dragons.
Leo Cullen is rested but Shane Jennings and Eoin Reddan will feature for Leinster in Sunday’s away fixture against Cardiff.
Seán Cronin will be available for Connacht’s game at home to the Warriors on Friday night.