Young Gun: Billy Scannell – Munster hooker

This year will live long in the Scannell household’s memory with Niall and Rory making their international debut for Ireland and younger brother Billy fully intends to make it three Test stars in the family in the near future.
While Munster first team regulars Niall, 25 and Rory, 23, made the step up to Test rugby, 17-year-old Billy was leading Presentation Brother College to the coveted Munster Schools Senior Cup as well as turning out for Ireland U18s.
“Niall and Rory had a great year getting their first Irish caps and hopefully I can chase them down in a couple of years,” he told The Rugby Paper.
“I play in the same position as Niall so I’ll be after his jersey soon. I always get asked if I’m their brother but I hope they’ll be asking them that soon too.
“I get a bit of stick from my mates about it but there’s not too much pressure on me to follow in their footsteps.
“I’ve always looked up to Niall. He’s the reason I started playing at hooker and he’s great when it comes to giving me advice. Rory plays at centre so we don’t really associate with him!
“I just hope both retain their place in the squad for the November Tests as well as becoming key players for the Munster first team.
“Personally I’ve got one more year at school and then I’ll be hoping to progress to the Munster academy full-time and go up the ranks there to join Niall and Rory in the first team.”
Following his fine season, Billy has been asked to train with the Munster academy this summer which opened his eyes to the physicality of professional rugby but he is fully aware his core skills will be what will hopefully take him to the first team.
He added: “This season was very good for me. I was captain of PBC so hopefully I can carry on that role and we can go back-to-back.
“I also played in the U18s international series against Italy, England and Wales last Easter. I was one of only three players to start in all three games which I was delighted about.
“I’ve been training with the academy this summer which has been fairly intense but it gives me a good idea of where I need to be to compete at a higher level. It’s a big step up in terms of physicality and pace of the game.
“I’ve been focussing on my throwing with Niall for the last couple of years and even did bits with Jerry Flannery. Ball carrying is important but your basic hooker skills at the set piece is what coaches at provincial and international level want you to have nailed down.
“We have three big games coming up with Munster U19s against the other three Irish provinces in September. We’ve got Leinster at home which, like with the seniors, is a huge derby.”