RUGBY:JERRY FLANNERY'S World Cup dream has been cruelly cut short after the 32-year-old Munster and Irish hooker suffered a tear of his left calf during a training session yesterday morning in Auckland.

An MRI scan has confirmed the severity of the tear, which will require four to six weeks’ rehabilitation before he is able to return to action.

The bottom line is that Flannery, who came on as a replacement in Ireland’s opening game against the USA, may never play in a World Cup again.

Seán Cronin has been named in the replacements for Saturday’s game against Australia and Damien Varley has been added to the squad. He is expected to arrive in New Zealand by Saturday.

Given his recent history with calf problems this latest setback is a cruel blow for Flannery.

Effectively sidelined for a season and a half with calf injuries, Flannery had made his first Test start since the defeat in the Stade de France in February when named against England in Ireland’s final warm-up game. It appeared as if he had overcome his persistent calf problems before this latest setback.

Commenting on this latest setback to Flannery, team manager Paul McNaughton said: “Obviously it is particularly disappointing for Jerry to have suffered this injury at this point in the tournament.

“With the fact that he is out for four to six weeks, we needed to make the decision to fly Damien Varley down as soon as possible. Seán Cronin will step into the replacements seamlessly this weekend.”

Varley, Flannery’s team-mate at Munster, said: “Obviously my heart goes out to Jerry. You wouldn’t wish injury on anyone. But it is the nature of the sport. One man’s loss is another man’s gain.”