Scannell keen to impress Joe

RORY SCANNELL knows that big performances for Munster are going to be required if he is to get back in the Irish squad and tomorrow’s clash with Connacht presents him with a big opportunity. But getting Munster back to winning ways is just as important as they bid to prevent three straight losses in the festive derbies before heading into crucial Champions Cup clashes against Racing 92 and Castres. Injuries and the threeweek ban dished out to Sammy Arnold this week also create an opportunity for Scannell, who made his Ireland debut last summer in the USA. He picked up two more caps in Japan but didn’t make Joe Schmidt’s November series squad. ‘You know that Joe Schmidt and the other coaches are looking at mainly the European games and the inter-pro derbies,’ said the 24-year-old (above), who has scored 90 points in 68 Munster appearances. ‘They are looking at certain lads going up against each other and it would be in the back of your mind, but for the moment, we are just concentrating on Munster. ‘That is at the forefront for us at the minute, but I am sure some players might have it [Ireland place] at the front of their minds alright. ‘I will be looking to put in a good performance in an inter-pro derby. The Irish squad will be announced in a few weeks and I’ll be doing my best to put my hand up. I’ll just be concentrating on my own performance and doing my best to make sure I add to the team’s performance.’ Scannell know they could be going into this match on the back of two festive wins but a slow start against Leinster and a secondhalf collapse against Ulster undid their efforts. ‘We were slow out of the blocks against Leinster and you know, if you give a team of that quality a lead like that you are going to struggle. ‘It was the other way around against Ulster,’ added the Corkman. ‘We will be looking to get some balance there and put in an 80-minute performance rather than a 40-minute one.’