NIALL SCANNELL AIMS to give a good account of himself on Thursday against Russia, when Ireland will look to get their Rugby World Cup back on track.
And the Corkman, named in an all-Munster front row by Joe Schmidt this morning, will get to do it in his preferred position.
Scannell was thrust into the fray as a makeshift flanker in his tournament debut against Scotland.
“I got a text off Tommy O’Donnell at home who was my room-mate in Carlton House, saying that after all he’s been through I came on in the World Cup at seven and he was left at home!” Scannell said at this morning’s press conference.
“It certainly wasn’t anything I’d prepared for but it’s just something that happened, with Pete [O'Mahony] coming off early I had to stick in there and do it.
“I’m not sure how well I went, it was a new experience for me anyway, but it’s not something I’d be looking to again any time soon.”
The game against the Russians in Kobe is an opportunity for the 27-year-old to push himself into the reckoning for starting places later in the tournament.
“It’s huge,” he agrees, “I was obviously disappointed not to be involved last Saturday.
“I want to put my best foot forward, but that comes through accuracy and building into the game. It’s not about going out there and trying to get a man-of-the-match performance, in difficult conditions, in the first 20 minutes.
“It’s about building, sticking to the gameplan and fitting in as we do as we get through our gameplan. If the fellas who have been given a chance then that’s the best way of putting our hands up for Joe for selection as the tournament progresses.”
Johnny Sexton has been named as captain of the side, a first for the hugely experienced Leinster out half.
“Johnny’s an unbelievably experienced player,” says Scannell, “he’s captained Leinster and to be honest the way there’s a leadership group among the squad, already fairly established that share that work in the week, so from our point of view Johnny would regularly speak before and after sessions, before a game.
“So from a team point-of-view, Johnny is a huge leader for us and always has been.
“It’s great for him as a personal accolade to be captain, but I think his usual leadership qualities will be what he brings to it. We’ve seen time and time again, so I think it won’t be a huge change for us as a team.”
Was the same when he came off the bench for Ireland. Threw a bad pass into touch and another one on the ground. Just didn’t look comfortable, probably a lack of game time as mentioned in the article. Was excellent at U20s and obviously has huge potential but to think he’s the 3rd best out half in Ireland right now is a huge insult to billy burns, carty, and Ben Healy who are all much better right now. Would have liked to see Healy rewarded with a call up to autumn squad as a young developing player but it wasn’t to be.
@guineon: waste of time! Why are we indulging this guy? Ross is a far superior player?
@guineon: he was brought into the irish squad because of his promise as a young player. Farrell knows what burns can do and had seen carty up close too during the world cup. Ben healy has just started to get game time and his club picks carbury ahead of him. So its not really an insult to anyone that a coach whos put time and effort into a very young player wants give him a chance.
If healy gets past carbury at club level he makes the irish squad. Carty has the chance to continue his clib form and if he does he’ll make the squad.
Burns dosent kick for his club so honestly needs to be much better thsn everyone else to make ireland and hes not.
@Chris Mc: Harry Byrne is not first choice for his club so why id he included if your using that logic? In fact his brother Is actually starting ahead of him is he not? He’s third choice 10 at Leinster and has done absolutely nothing in his senior career to justify an Irish cap. It’s a joke and it robs better players of caps
@guineon: i never said he should be in the squad. I just gave my opinion on why he’s there.
The better players you talk about burns? had a go and didnt take the shirt hes not an international outhalf, Ross the same and well attacking running rugby thats just not his game at all.
Carty is in great form in the league and if he continues he will force his way into the sqaud.
Healy is the very same as harry was 6 months ago, very young and has played very well in the limited time hes been given. But if hes to make the irish side he has to get past carbury.
I think Frawley is leinsters answer at 10 after sexton.
Farrells selection of both carbury and harry was to add on to the work he’d started in the summer internationals. This seems to be the reasoning to it.
@Chris Mc: I agree with the Frawley answer, he looks like a potential 10/12 in the vein of Owen Farrell, but he’s been very solid as a 10. Makes clever plays.
But I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Billy Burns, I think he’s still got feathers to his cap and could make it as international. I like what I’ve seen from Ben Healy so far, but with Carbury back he’ll have to be patient. Still plenty of big games ahead for him as Munster number 2.
@SPQH: the problem with burns is he doesnt kick for his club so to step up at international level would be some gamble.
Healy and frawley for me are the 2 we should be looking at.
I am not convinced by joey, hes always been more of a 15 for me. A top class goal kicker all the same.
Carty is playing the best of all of them and if he brings thst form into the next 3 or 4 weeks will make the irish squad.
Harry is young enough no question but he needs to start ahead of his brother or else he’ll fade away. I get why he was in the novwmber squad but Theres is no explanation for him in the squad for the 6 nations if hes not playing especially while sexton is out.
@Chris Mc: players need to be judged on European Cup games, it’s a higher standard than the league. Any player would look good when he comes on against a team when they are winning by 20+ points. Harry Byrne needs a run of games to settle in, as does a lot of other players. Parachuting players, especially young players, in and out of teams is hampering them.
@Patrick O Connell: the problem with setting europe as the standard is after sexton none have grest european form. Ross b played well v Exeter im not sure your suggesting he should play for ireland.
@Chris Mc: As an Ulster supporter I believe that Harry Byrne is the real deal. Just give the lad time. He’ll get there.
68 minutes of rugby. Says it all really. Least time is on his side.
Just a point of information. Burns has and does kick at goal for Ulster when Cooney is absent. He is actually an o.k. kicker. With the arrival of Doak also being a top level kicker Burns’ opportunities will be even fewer I suspect but he is decent enough. Ironically the best goal kicker in Ulster is Rob Lyttle. He is a phenomenal goal kicker.