MUNSTER CENTRE SAM Arnold believes the experience of being involved in Joe Schmidt’s rigorous Ireland camp prior to the Six Nations is a stepping stone to international honours
Arnold gave a superb display and scored two tries for Munster in their 33-5 bonus point PRO14 victory over Zebre at Thomond Park last weekend.
The 21-year-old former Ulster back travelled with the Ireland squad to Spain for their warm-weather Six Nations training camp, and he was also involved in their preparations for the French game at Carton House.
“It was a really good experience. It was great to be up there and get a feel for the environment during a match week, the guys were unbelievable. They helped me out a lot up there,” said Arnold.
“It was good to have the older heads around, like Murray and Earlsie there as well. If I had a question they would be the first lads I would go to and ask. It was awesome to have them and obviously Pete as well. There is no better man to ask than Pete as well.
“I had a good chat with Andy Farrell when I was there. I have spoken to Joe. I think I know what Joe wants me to do going forward.
“I sat down with Andy when I was there and we discussed what I need to do to try and take my game to the next level, so I would have that in the back of my mind when I am playing, 100 percent.”
Arnold, who also starred for Ireland at U-20 level, has scored five tries in seven appearances for Munster this season.
Munster travel to take on Cardiff Blues at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday and he is determined to put in another noteworthy display to keep his place in the team.
“It is always nice to get a couple of tries. I was actually pretty disappointed that I turned the ball over a few too many times,” said Arnold.
“The main thing for me is that we are winning and that we are getting bonus points. We are working with new combinations as well at the minute, so it is great to see guys getting chances.
“They are three international players I’m competing with, Jaco Taute, Chris Farrell and Rory Scannell, they are quality players, but we would be a very close knit teams as well.
“Guys know if they slip up there is someone there to slot straight back in and I think it is important to have that kind of pressure environment within the squad.
“You like at the depth of the French teams and a team like Saracens for example would have, I think we are starting to get that now. It is important to have that competition, but I think it would be rare that five of us are fit at the same time.”
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Good to see Sammy putting in good performances. He could turn out to be an excellent Internation too. Great to see strength and depth at centre in Munster too, Scannel, Farrel, Taute, Arnold and even Goggins.
It would be nice to see some Munster developed players break into the national team, and stay there. It has been a long time since Conor Murray and Simon Zebo did so. There are a number of players in the background but they really need to start producing more for Ireland.
@grandslamkbo: O’Mahony? I agree that we could do with more lads breaking in for regular games but there’s such a log jam of Leinster players…
@EnKy: POM, of course. My error, I meant backs. No reason to drag thinly veiled hostility towards Leinster in this. What Munster-developed players do you think are being unfairly kept out of the first team or regular squad positions for Leinster players? As an Irish supporter, I want to see the best for the national team. Every team has to do their part.
@grandslamkbo: last weekend there were 3 Leinster starters, 2 – munster, 1 Connacht and 1 Ulster. For the next match it’ll be 3 munster, 2 Leinster, 1 Connacht and 1 Ulster. Not sure how you figure munster should be doing more.
@Jim Demps: It was a pretty poor attempt at trolling
This guy has got some serious acceleration.
The abuse joe get and yet the work he puts into these younger players and bringing them through slowly but making sure each part of the foundation is rock solid. Those who buy into this learning set up and do the required work will become far better players for us in the medium and long term.
@Chris Mc: where you seeing all this abuse for Joe?
@Jim Demps: Ahhhh c’mon now… Even Ive hurled the odd bit of abuse at him. And i think he’s flippin great.
The criticism from fans is constant. No matter what he does there will be those who think he shouldve done differently. That’s just the territory of being a head coach. Everyone has an opinion, so no matter what choice Schmidt makes, someone will disagree
@Jim Demps: I just made it up
@Rudiger McMonihan: ya ur probably right. I’m always dumbfounded that he goes with toner.
Fine player with a big future ahead for Munster and Ireland.