Scannell Set For Senior Ranks

Having signed his first senior contract with Munster, the academy’s Rory Scannell looks to take centre stage for his native province in the coming seasons.

The Douglas native was first introduced to rugby when attending Presentation Brothers College, Cork and much like his older brother Niall, Rory’s natural aptitude for the game was soon evident, winning a Junior Cup medal in 2009 before losing out to Rockwell in the 2011 Schools Senior Cup final at the then Musgrave Park.
 
On the representative front, the young playmaker lined out for Ireland U18 Schools, Munster U20s and Ireland U20s for whom he started every game of the 2013 U20 6 Nations, and also featured in every encounter of the U20s Junior World Championship that year, playing across the backline.
 
The Corkman’s good form and versatility was soon rewarded that summer when he won promotion from the sub-academy into the academy programme and made his debut for the Munster senior side in pre-season action against London Irish at Musgrave Park.
 
Two and a half years later the Dolphin clubman has continued to make great strides, becoming a key Munster A player in the British & Irish Cup, making 15 competitive senior appearances across the Guinness PRO12 and European Champions Cup, and winning inclusion in the victorious Emerging Ireland squad at the 2015 Tbilisi Cup.
 
Rory reflects on a productive number of seasons within the Greencore Munster academy system.  “I learnt a lot from my time in the academy, particularly through the coaches; Peter Malone, Greig Oliver and Colm McMahon, while a lot of the lads who were then ahead of me in the academy were also very good to offer advice – the likes of James Cronin, Johnny Holland, Cian Bohane and my brother Niall. 
 
“I also pushed on a bit with Munster A in my first year and that led to opportunities to train with the senior side and with so many experienced internationals in the squad I definitely learnt a lot in those sessions.
 
“Obviously there’s a big step up from the Club game to the PRO12 so the experience of playing against some tough English Championship sides in the B&I Cup with Munster A was a good transition before being thrown into the deep end with the senior side. 
 
“Playing with my club Dolphin was great also.  There might be only six B&I Cup games every season if you fail to qualify for play-offs and when that is not on you can play for your club week in week out which is what you want.”
 
In continuing to develop as one of the province’s most exciting emerging talents, this season has already seen the 22 year old make twelve appearances – as opposed to three in total last season – including his European debut against Treviso in Thomond Park with Rory also featuring in the back-to-back encounters with Leicester Tigers in Round 3 and 4.
 
“The physicality, intensity and fitness was definitely another level on again from PRO12, especially when you are against sides like Leicester, Stade Francais and Treviso. 
 
“Obviously we were very disappointed to lose at home and away to Leicester, as well as to Connacht, Dragons and Leinster in the PRO12, but you learn a lot from defeat also and we tried to stay positive because we were playing some quite good rugby, we just weren’t taking our chances and getting points on the scoreboard. 
 
“We looked long and hard at the work-ons from those games so it was great then to go up to Ravenhill and get a win which is something that not a lot of Munster teams have managed over the years.”
 
In signing his first senior contract last week, Rory will join his older brother Niall in the senior ranks from the beginning of next season with last December’s encounter with Dragons seeing the duo create history by becoming the first set of brothers to start for Munster in the PRO12.
 
“It’s a bit of a dream come true for us alright.  Obviously we played GAA together for Douglas for years and played a bit through Pres and for Dolphin.  Luckily we pushed on to play for Munster A together and then this year the two of us have been involved quite a bit in the PRO12 and Europe so that has been a great honour for us both.
 
“Our family are very proud and have supported us throughout the years, going to every game, and it’s great to have their support behind us.”
 
After signing on the dotted line, the centre will begin a development contract at the end of this summer season and will advance to a full contract for season 2017/18.
 
“I’m delighted to get this opportunity.  It can be quite a nerve-racking time for lads that are coming out of contract or trying to get their first contact so I’m glad to get it sorted this early in the season and I won’t be doing it again for another couple of years so now I can just concentrate on my game.”
 
The Greencore Munster Academy adopt a well-rounded approach to player development where by those in the system are actively encouraged to pursue interests away from the game, namely in education with Elite Player Development Manager Peter Malone stating last year, ‘Rory has carried himself very well both on and off the field, doing well in college as well as training hard and has been exemplary in his time with the academy to date.’ 
 
And the UCC student continues to marry professional rugby with his studies.  “I’m currently finishing out my final year in finance and once that’s completed I’m not fully decided as to what I’ll do next on that front.  I’d like to concentrate on rugby for the next year and then maybe look at doing a masters.
 
“I think it’s good to strike the right balance between college, family and meeting friends, and not focus solely on rugby because it can be quite nerve-racking and you’d crack up if you were to concentrate on it the whole time.  The reality is also, one injury and your career can be over so it’s essential to have something to fall back on.
 
“College also helped me massively in terms of my time keeping and discipline and that I hope will continue to stand to me in professional rugby.”
 
This week sees Rory bid for a place in Anthony Foley’s matchday squad to face Stade Francais at the Stade Jean Bouin on Saturday – KO 4:45pm Irish – with the Head Coach to name his selection at midday on Friday.