Ireland v Romania Player reaction: It's occasionally difficult to remember that the tousled human dynamo that is Jerry Flannery is 27 years old. Remarkably fresh-faced for one who operates in the front row, he has a rugby pedigree often overlooked by media and supporters alike.

His recent ascent to the number two jersey with Munster on the back of an injury to Frankie Sheahan is far from accidental. A member of what used to be the national academy, he played underage rugby for Ireland but took a circuitous route to his senior debut at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

He's had a spell with Connacht, more game time at Shannon and finally this promotion - facilitated by Sheahan's misfortune but also a reward for attitude and hard work with Munster.

In his youth, Flannery may have day-dreamed about playing for Ireland; it's doubtful Romania were in those thoughts or that he saw himself sprung from the bench with eight minutes to go.

Not that he would cavil. He has worked long and hard to reach this point and is strikingly mature is assessing his current circumstances. He points out that all he can control is the manner in which he plays the game to optimum levels and that for Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan, it'll be a case of trawling through several candidates for the hooker berth - Shane Byrne, Rory Best, Sheahan and Flannery himself - when the national side resumes Six Nations duty.

He knows the coming weeks will be a proving ground of sorts as Munster embrace first the Celtic League and then the Heineken European Cup.

"I just have to focus on next week, which is a massive game for Munster. It sounds a little simplistic but each week presents a big game for different reasons. In a couple of weeks we're back into the Heineken Cup but there's a lot to be done. It's about building on the performances I've had so far and getting that consistency.

"People were coming up to me after the Castres game asking me if I was disappointed, browned off that I didn't get into the squad.

"I know that it's consistency coaches want. A brilliant one-off performance is not a fluke - it shows how good you can be - but you have to reproduce that week in, week out and then they can use you at international level. It's about consistency over the next few weeks with Munster."

For now though he does permit himself to reflect with a smile on his Ireland debut, charting the day from an unusually early beginning.

"It was a strange preparation for such an early game. I wouldn't have played that early since I was in school. With a game that kicks off in the early or late afternoon you can normally go back (to bed) and have a couple of hours' rest.

"Everything was done in more of a rush. There were a couple of plates of pasta about 9.30am (after) porridge for breakfast about 8am.

"I had been hopeful during the week but you're always going to be that way when you're included. I suppose in the back of your mind is that if the game is going well and the team winning handily then you might get an opportunity."

Flannery's moment arrived just as he was about to join the other replacements at the Havelock Square end of the ground.

"Mervyn (Murphy) gave me the call, told me to stay up near the halfway line as I'd be going on soon. There weren't really any nerves or huge excitement.

"It was more a case of really looking forward to it and then concentrating on making an impact when I did get on: make a tackle, secure a set piece from a lineout or scrum. Just do something positive for the team.

"I found stepping into the Heineken Cup the last few weeks helpful. You kind of get used to just slotting in, especially with the way we're training at the moment. I'm up to speed and have no excuses when I come on."

His personal highlight of the game?

"I enjoyed being out for the National Anthem. I remember watching all the lads that I played with in the academy and at 21s level, watching them on television when they were out there and thinking, 'wouldn't that be great?' To be flanked by Munster team-mates John Hayes and Mick O'Driscoll just made it all the better."

And with that he was off to the post-match dinner, hoping to survive the rites of passage that traditionally befall a first cap when left to the devices of his team-mates - his one source of comfort that he would be travelling home in Marcus Horan's car yesterday.

"He'd better make sure that I don't feel too bad."