Jerry Flannery will be available for selection to Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan for the final three games of the Six Nations after his eight week ban was reduced to four on appeal.

Today's decision by an independent appeal committee means the Munster hooker can now challenge Bernard Jackman and Rory Best for a starting berth against Scotland (February 23rd) and Wales (March 8th) in Croke Park, and England (March 15th) in Twickenham.

On January 24th, Flannery was cited for a stamp on Clermont Auvergne's Julien Bonnaire and was subsequently found guilty by an independent disciplinary committee of a "deliberate" offence at the "top end in the level of seriousness" and given a lengthy eight week ban which effectively ended his Six Nations before it began.

However, the appeal committee agreed with Munster's contention that the stamp was not deliberate and instead deemed it "reckless" and of "mid-range in the level of seriousness". To that end the committee saw fit to reduce Flannery's ban which now ends on February 21st.

The news will be a welcome boost for O'Sullivan for the latter part of the campaign. As it stands Jackman will start against France in Paris this weekend.

It will be the Leinster hooker's first Six Nations start after he replaced the misfiring Rory Best from the bench in the narrow 16-11 win over Italy in Croke Park last Saturday.

If it turns out to be a problem position for O'Sullivan, Flannery's reintroduction could be timely.