Flannery faces anxious wait

Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery looks set to miss his side's crunch Six Nations clash with England at Twickenham after being cited at the weekend.

Flannery has been accused of an ‘alleged kick’ on France wing Alexis Palisson during Ireland’s 33-10 loss in Paris at the weekend.

The Munster hooker has yet to be given a case for his hearing but with Ireland due to play England at Twickenham on February 27 – a reprieve now looks unlikely.

The minimum sentence for the offence is four weeks, while the mid-range sanction is eight to 12-weks, meaning Flannery can expect a stint on the sidelines if found guilty.

Flannery's expected absence will open the door for Ulster captain Rory Best to come into the side.

Best had been expected to miss the entire season after undergoing surgery on a neck injury last summer but recently returned to club action.

Best replaced Flannery during the second half of Saturday's game in Paris, as he had done in Ireland's Six Nations opener against Italy in Dublin seven days earlier.

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