Niall Scannell is ready. Joe Schmidt trusts that he’s ready. Anyone that knows the lad says he is more than ready…
The Munster hooker has enjoyed a superb season and he was always likely to be included in Schmidt’s extended Six Nations squad.
When that squad was announced, Scannell was one of three uncapped players – along with brother Rory Scannell and Andrew Conway – included in the 40. Shortly after that announcement, Johnny Holland, Scannell’s former Munster teammate, raved:
“No-one deserves it more. He has put in so much hard work over the past few years and it is paying off. He’d be my tip to back up Rory Best for the opening game.”
Holland was proved right as Scannell was named on the Ireland bench for this afternoon’s clash with Scotland. Interestingly, Scannell will be wearing ‘Cap 0’ on his jersey.
Big day for @N_Scannell222 set to ear his first cap off the bench. #TeamOfUs #shouldertoshoulder pic.twitter.com/vdikUl1j0z
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 4, 2017
The same anomaly caused some confusion [below] back in November, ahead of Ireland’s 40-29 victory over New Zealand, when Garry Ringrose and Joey Carbery sported jerseys with ‘Cap 0’ stitched on.
As Ian Madigan explained, uncapped players on the bench are still deemed to be on ‘0’ until they make their debuts. This would be different if Scannell, for example, was starting. He would then deem to be on Cap 1 from the moment the match starts.
Strange but true https://t.co/1WyAsRjJMn
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 5, 2016
While some thought the IRFU’s decision to put ‘Cap 0’ on Carbery and Ringrose’s jerseys strange, it worked out to be a sensible move. Carbery came off the bench to replace Sexton, make his debut and lap over a tricky conversion.
Ringrose was not called from the bench as Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne lasted the pace. His Ireland debut would come a week later when he started against Canada.
Rory Best will look to stay on as long as possible but it is likely that Scannell will shake off that ‘0’ in the final stages of this afternoon’s match.
