Flannery earns Ireland recall

Munster hooker Jerry Flannery has returned to the Ireland squad for the RBS 6 Nations Championship after recovering from a shoulder injury.

Flannery is included in an expanded 35-man party along with Ulster winger Tommy Bowe, who also missed the autumn internationals after suffering a hamstring injury.

Head coach Eddie O'Sullivan has also called up uncapped Leinster winger Robert Kearney and Munster centre Barry Murphy, while Leinster lock Trevor Hogan returns to the squad along with Munster second row Mick O'Driscoll.

Stephen Ferris was not considered due to a hand injury, while Munster loose forward Alan Quinlan is suspended.

O'Sullivan said: "The championship is a long and hard tournament that will always test your resources, so I felt that we needed to increase our squad to 35 to give us some extra cover.

"We have a good injury profile at the moment and with the return of players from injury, such as Tommy Bowe and Jerry Flannery as well as the other additions to the squad, it will push up the competition levels.

"While there are not many changes from November, the squad is always selected on form and this group reflects that."

Ireland's Six Nations campaign opens against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on February 4.