SCANNING JOE’S LIST Jamison’s on the Luke out
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.”
Wasps
LUKE MCGRATH’S difficulty is Jamison Gibson-park’s opportunity as one door shuts and another opens.
Gibson-park admits to frustration that more often than not in a Champions Cup week, the numbers stack up against him.
The ruling that only allows for two non-european players has impacted most on the Kiwi scrum-half.
James Lowe and Scott Fardy have regularly got the nod ahead of him but the issue will end in the summer when Gibson-park, after three years of residency, will become Ireland qualified.
He said: “When you are missing out through something that is un-rugby related, it can be frustrating.
“That’s all part of it but we’re nearly at the end of it, which will be nice, though I still have a few more months to go.”
For this week, Leo Cullen’s dilemma will come down to picking Lowe or Fardy with the Kiwi.
The province confirmed yesterday that Mcgrath (inset) will miss the next eight weeks with a knee ligament problem – the second year in a row that his Six Nations ambitions have been scuppered.
As such, Gibson-park’s experience will be vital in Coventry against Wasps on Sunday.
“It’s not a great time of the year to be picking up such an injury but that’s the way it goes, it’s a cruel sport sometimes,” said Gibson-park.
“Luke will be working hard and I’m looking forward to welcoming him back but it represents an opportunity for myself.
“He’s good but he’s pretty down about the whole thing and the timing of it because leading into the Six Nations it would have been nice to see him play his part.
“He’s a tough little bugger so he’ll be going hard to get back as soon as he can.”
Fv
Leinster
APool 1 Sunday, 3.15pm