Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SCANNING JOE’S LIST
It’s wait & see for Reds ace Rory
JOE SCHMIDT’S Ireland squad for the opening rounds of the Six Nations will be made public today.
And one man who will be watching developments closely is Rory Scannell, who admits he has been driven on to do better after missing out on selection in November.
The centre is in good form and Munster hope that continues on Saturday evening when the right result at home to Exeter will secure a quarter-final spot in the Champions Cup.
“November was disappointing,” said Scannell, whose three caps to date came on the US and Japan summer tour in 2017. “But I’ve just tried in every game I’ve played since to put in the best performance I can.
“After that, if Joe thinks it’s good enough, hopefully I’ll be in, but the centre is probably one of the most competitive positions in the country with the lads that are out there.
“We’ll see what happens. They’re the games the coaches are looking at, the interpros and the big European games.
“I haven’t really thought about the selection a whole lot, it’s been a big few weeks for the club.
“You’re just concentrating on your own performance and if you do that, and do well over these few games, you can put your hand up.
“But you can’t affect what happens after that. You can only hope you do well and if I get into the Six Nations squad, great.”
One man who will definitely be in Schmidt’s plans is Joey Carbery, who has really shone in recent weeks as Munster’s No.10.
Scannell says communication with the backs outside him is key for any fly-half and he’s sought to help Carbery out in that regard.
“I try to tell him where the space is and when he knows where that space is, he is more than likely going to be able to take it,” said the 25-year-old.
“He’s playing unbelievable rugby.
“He had a disappointing day in Castres but since then he is playing some of the best rugby of his career so far. His kicking has been outstanding in the last couple of games.
“I think he’s starting to really enjoy it. He’s going to be very important to our season.
“He’s just been so calm under pressure. Last year with Leinster he probably wasn’t starting at 10 in a lot of those big European games.
“It’s been a great experience for him this year to start in those games and I was most impressed with this goal kicking, he’s got his last 17 kicks since the Castres game.
“That shows great character after having had a disappointing day off the tee in a big European game.”