HAVING SPENT THE entire Grand Slam campaign in Ireland’s training squad and travelled with Joe Schmidt’s team as 24th man twice in the Six Nations, Rory Scannell hoped that the June tour to Australia would provide him with an opportunity to add to his three caps.
Disappointingly for the Munster midfielder, he missed out on heading Down Under as Schmidt opted for only three centres in his touring squad in the shape of Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki.
Scannell has long been a key man for Munster. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
Having delivered impressively consistent performances for his province last season, Scannell must now set about underlining his quality again as Munster begin their campaign with a pre-season clash against London Irish this evening in Cork.
Helping Johann van Graan’s team to get beyond the semi-final hurdle this season is a big motivation but 24-year-old Scannell’s Ireland ambitions remain strong.
“It was great getting the full Six Nations training under my belt,” said the Cork man. “I was in and out the season before, but to get that eight weeks with a Grand Slam side was a great experience.
“It makes you that bit hungrier to push on and get into the match-day squads as well. So, it was disappointing not to get game time, but you’re not too far off as well. Hopefully, I can push on this year and get a few inclusions in the match-day squad.
“I’d a chat with Joe before the summer tour, I was obviously disappointed to miss out on that.
“There were a few things to work on – Bundee, Robbie and Garry are big, physical centres. I like the physical side of things as well, but I also add something different having played a bit at number 10 before.
“So, if I can match their physicality and bring that little extra on a consistent basis then hopefully I can push my way in.”
Starting his season strongly with Munster will go a long way towards Scannell being back in the Ireland mix for the November Tests, and he is convinced that the province are set up to deliver after their first pre-season under van Graan, who joined during last season.
Rory Scannell was speaking at an eir Sport event to announce that its first Pro14 broadcast, Cardiff Blues v Leinster, will be made free-to-air. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
The South African head coach has put an emphasis on Munster’s passing skills this summer after they let themselves down in that area in the Pro14 semi-final against Leinster in particular.
Van Graan has also welcomed some exciting new signings into his squad, with Ireland internationals Joey Carbery and Tadhg Beirne joined by Garryowen scrum-half Neil Cronin, South African back row Arno Both and Irish-qualified fullback Mike Haley.
Scannell describes the Springboks-capped Botha as “an absolute monster of a man,” while he says he’s excited to play alongside Carbery.
“I’d have trained with him a lot with Ireland. He’s exciting, he has that X-factor as we’ve all seen many times.”