Ulster's Rory Best looks set to start as Ireland's front-line hooker for the rest of the RBS 6 Nations Championship, if Jerry Flannery gets a hefty ban on Wednesday.
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Flannery's participation in the remainder of the championship will be decided at a disciplinary hearing in Dublin, after the Munster hooker was charged with an alleged kick on the France winger Alexis Palisson 23 minutes into Ireland's defeat in Paris on Saturday.
If the citing is upheld, Flannery faces a minimum four-week suspension which would rule him out of Ireland's games against England and Wales, paving the way for Rory Best's return.
Best, who was named in the Ulster squad to face the Newport Gwent Dragons at Ravenhill, may then miss Friday night's Magners league tie.
Ireland coach Declan Kidney will not want to take any risks with Best, if he is to fill in for Flannery for the rest of the Championship.
The Ulsterman, who recovered from neck surgery in time for the Six Nations, told UTV he was relishing the opportunity "if it comes along".
"At the minute I'm focused on playing on Friday night for Ulster against the Dragons.
"Any minor distractions that might take your eye off the ball for this weekend have to be out behind you because if you are 1% or 2% off where you should be on Friday night then the Dragons will make you pay.
"No one likes to get the opportunity at the expense of someone else. You can be sure that there was no malice in that (Flannery's kick), it was just badly timed", Best told UTV.
"The disciplinary committee will make a decision on it but it's out of my hands, I feel I'm playing pretty well anyway."
© UTV News