A PROMISING BREAKTHROUGH season for Rory Scannell isn’t over quite yet.
Munster’s competitive campaign ended with last weekend’s five-try victory against the Scarlets, ensuring Champions Cup rugby for next season, but they will train on over the coming weeks until a summer break in June.
With the rest of the provinces looking forward to Pro12 semi-finals, Munster will begin building physically for next season in a block of training that resembles a mini pre-season.
Those Munster men in contention for the trip to South Africa with Ireland next month will certainly need any additional power they can generate.
It would be a surprise to see 22-year-old Scannell travel with Joe Schmidt and company, but he is now on the radar after an excellent campaign in which he made himself a clear first-choice for Anthony Foley.
Denis Hurley’s injury travails may have opened the door, but Scannell – still in the academy right now – has grasped every opportunity energetically.
“Coming into the season I was hoping to pick up a few games here and there,” says Scannell, who moves onto a development contract next season. “I got a few starts at the beginning of the season and I was just trying to build on those and enjoy every game I got.
“I haven’t really looked back since. I’ve played most games since and it’s been a great learning curve for me personally.”
Scannell has felt himself coming out of his shell since Christmas especially, and that sentiment is certainly backed up by the evidence we’ve seen on the pitch over the course of 20 starts overall this season.
Partnered with Francis Saili in midfield, Scannell increasingly backed his passing game and footwork to make attacking inroads for Munster, while he was more and more aggressive in the tackle every time he played.
“He’s a world-class player, he’s capped by the All Blacks and when he was signed I just wanted to learn off a player of his calibre,” says Scannell of Saili’s influence.
“We’ve played a lot together in midfield this year and I’ve learned a lot from him. I really enjoy playing with him.
“I hope so,” continues Scannell when asked if the future promises more for the midfield pairing. “We’re both looking to build for next year.
“He’s just coming out of his shell, he’s a new guy, he’s trying to get comfortable with the lads around him and he’s started to do that since Christmas. He’s playing some really good rugby and we hope to build on that partnership over the next few seasons.”
The arrival of the highly promising 20-year-old Sammy Arnold from Ulster this summer will provide Munster with another interesting option in the centres, particularly as Rassie Erasmus arrives in as director of rugby.
The South African will have been watching Munster’s recent games with interest, of course, but everyone will start on a new page with Erasmus.
Scannell, who has played at out-half and fullback too, insists he sees himself as a 12 now and hopes to continue his residency in that shirt under Erasmus.
With Foley remaining on as head coach under the South African, Scannell is hopeful that the future holds better things for Munster.
“They both want the best for Munster,” says Scannell. “Axel is a diehard Munster man and he wants the best for the club. Rassie is coming in on a three-year deal, which shows that he’s trying to get the club back to where we want to be.
“Hopefully, he’ll be a good addition to the coaching staff next season. We’re looking forward to that as well.
“There’s been a few ups and downs, definitely, throughout the season and it’s been a learning curve for a lot of the young players.
“Having grown up and watched Munster winning all the silverware, that’s where we want to be and we’re just trying our best to get the club back there. We’re excited about the challenges ahead.”
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