Flannery a doubt for Six Nations

It has emerged that injury-cursed hooker Jerry Flannery is a doubt for the start of Ireland’s Six Nations defence as he battles with an Achilles injury.

Flannery will undergo diagnostic surgery later this week after the injury forced him out of Munster’s match against Perpignan on Friday.

If Flannery requires further surgery he could be ruled out for months rather than weeks, which would leave either Connacht’s Sean Cronin or either of the Fogarty brothers John and Denis.

The Munsterman has not had a good 2009 with injury, with a fractured arm ruling him out of the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.

John has been first-choice for Leinster this season, while Denis has deputised ably for Flannery at Munster.

Ulster also have Nigel Brady and Andy Kyriacou available, both of whom have shown good form this season, so Ireland are not short of options.

Ireland open the defence of their Six Nations title against Italy at Croke Park on 6 February before facing France in Paris a week later.(source)