By Jim Stokes
BBC Sport at Lansdowne Road |
 Flannery was superb against Scotland on Saturday |
Hooker Jerry Flannery will relish his first outing at Twickenham next Saturday as Ireland aim for a first Six Nations title and the Triple Crown.
The Irish won on their last visit to Twickenham two years ago and victory could bring a first title since 1985.
"There's no reason why we can't win," Flannery told BBC Sport.
"I will look forward to ripping into the English. That will be a real experience, and if we win it will end an incredible season for me."
Flannery was in the Munster squad that played Harlequins at Twickenham in the Heineken Cup last year, but never made it on to the field.
But the 27-year-old will be one of the first name on coach Eddie O'Sullivan's team-sheet this week after an outstanding display in Saturday's win over Scotland, only his fifth Test.
The Irish won every one of their 21 line-outs and stole eight of Scotland's, with Flannery a model of accuracy with his throwing. "The line-outs were a big reason, but our work-rate and attitude was also a major contributing factor," Flannery said.
"I don't know why Scotland's line-out didn't function. But there again, we do have some of the best jumpers in the world in our squad."
Singled out for praise by Scottish Rugby Union president Andy Irvine at the post-match dinner, the self-effacing Flannery was more interested in handing out the plaudits to his fellow forwards afterwards.
 |  When I was used as cover, I just trained like a mad thing |
he Munster rookie, who shone like a beacon at a dull, damp and very wet Lansdowne Road, said that un-heralded prop John Hayes played an integral part in Ireland's line-out dominance. ""The Bull" must be one of the best line-out lifters in the world, and Marcus Horan is not that far behind him now," Flannery explained.
"To be honest it's a real good line-out unit, and an excellent coach in Niall O'Donovan. My job is made easy with all the supporting players being bang on the money and doing everything right.
"When a line-out is working well, you get a jumper up there on his own, and everybody did their job to perfection to make my job easy."
Flannery was also involved in one of the game's stand-out moments, victim of a thumping second-half hit from Scotland captain Jason White.
"I didn't know anything about it to be honest," he said with a smile. "I haven't seen it yet on video. But I know it did give me a bit of a shake. "But you can't really show it was anything special; you don't want to lose face. You just get up and get on with it."
Sure enough, five minutes later Flannery was sprinting up the right-hand touchline chasing a Peter Stringer kick, another sign of his eagerness to bounce back from a setback.
After a prolonged spell of playing second fiddle to Frankie Sheahan at Munster, Flannery entered the Testn arena last November after a serious neck injury removed his hooking rival from the fray.
"It's just great to be involved with this team. I have been fortunate that I came in on the back of Frankie's injury. Before that, I was used as cover, and that was that. I just trained like a mad thing.
"It was bad luck for Frankie and you don't wish an injury on any player, but it did open the door for me."
MMIX
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