Hooker Mike Sherry is hoping an extended run of games in the starting XV for Munster might result in the rekindling of his Ireland international chances, but for now the 24-year-old just wants to get the province back to winning ways.

Sherry has been battling with Damian Varley for the Munster number two jersey since Jerry Flannery retired, but the Limerick man has stolen a march in the last couple of months. Sherry has started the last seven games, with Varley not getting the nod since the opening day defeat in the Heineken Cup away to Racing Metro.

Sherry, who played schools and under-19 for Ireland, was drafted into the World Cup squad as an injury call-up and was included in the Ireland squad for the three-match tour to New Zealand in June but he has yet to make his full international debut.

But while Sherry has moved to the top of the pile in Munster, the qualification and emergence of Richardt Strauss has pushed him further down the ranking in the international arena.

“I’ve got a run of games, it’s just the way it worked out, Varls got sick for the Cardiff match and from there I just got a bit of a run of games, so obviously I’m happy, the more I play the happier I am.

“But I still wouldn’t discount Varls because I compete with him down here on a daily basis. It’s certainly not my jersey, I’m just getting a bit of a run of games, so I’m enjoying it,” said Sherry.

He said the main priority now was to bounce back from the disappointment of losing away to Saracens by strengthening their claim for a top four place in the Pro 12 when they travel to play Connacht on Saturday.

And he does not expect anything easy from Eric Elwood’s men. “They were viewed once upon a time as the whipping boys but not any more, not for the last few years; heading there is difficult, we know we’re in for a right battle.”