Munster v Leinster: Rory Scannell on wedding boot woes and facing the Blues
Ultra-experienced centre Rory Scannell will lock horns with Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose at Thomond Park tonight in the eagerly awaited festive URC showdown
Wearing a moon boot for his own wedding was just part of the frustration felt by Rory Scannell last summer.
The experienced Munster star had hit form when he suffered an ankle injury against Ulster in the final regular URC fixture of the season. It required surgery and Scannell missed the play-offs, with the Reds bowing at Thomond Park in the semi-finals.
"I got a few games under the belt and then the injury didn't come at a very good time," said the Corkman. "I was getting married three weeks later in a boot, so that wasn’t ideal.
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“We threw on the shoe for photos, but, yeah, it's in the boot for most of the day. We got through it anyway and we're still together, so it went well!
"But, yeah, it was a long process getting back. It's tough when you're injured, you're not with the lads. You're on a different schedule, so it can be quite enough in the building at times."
The 31-year-old admits he returned earlier than he had planned to when he started away to the Sharks in October due to Munster's injury profile in midfield.
It was the first of only three appearances so far this term as it has taken him time to get back to full speed - he also came off the bench at Castres in the Champions Cup and then in last week's victory at Ulster. But Scannell will start against Leinster in Limerick tonight.
"In the first or second game I probably didn't feel my best," he said. "The lungs weren't the best but I think I'm getting there now the last couple of weeks. It's nice to be back and getting a bit more games consistently."
After tonight, Scannell will be just three games off 200 appearances for the Reds. His brother Niall, who is 32, is 15 games short of the milestone, so both could achieve it this term.
“It’s not something I target," Rory insisted. "The main thing is being fit and healthy. I had the bad injury last season, so it's kind of just getting back into the swing of things the last few weeks. Hopefully, if I can stay fit, that will come this season, please God.
"Niall is only a few behind so as long as we're fit and healthy we have a good chance of reaching it. It's not something you think about too much, but it'll be, obviously, a massive honour to reach it if I could.”
He sees the same line speed from Leinster in defence that Munster once employed under Jacques Nienaber when he was at the Reds with Rassie Erasmus.
"It's probably different to the team we've seen in the last few seasons, but I don't think too much has changed from their attacking side," Scannell said.
He's hopeful that Munster can be the first team this season to take down their arch rivals. "They're going very well," he acknowledged. "They've chopped and changed their squad a lot, in Europe and in the URC.
"They've great depth and they’re a quality side, even in a couple of games where they haven’t played their best they’re grinding their wins against tough opposition. So, we're under no illusions. It's going to be a battle, but it's one we're excited for, definitely.”
More than anything, he's delighted to be featuring tonight for one of the highlights of any season. “Absolutely," said Scannell. "The sell-outs in Thomond Park are great occasions that you get a couple of times a year, probably the few of the European Cup games and a few of the interpros (where) there's great buzz.
"Everyone's off on holidays, a lot of people enjoy going and there's usually a great atmosphere at it. It's definitely an occasion we enjoy and it’s one to be excited for, as always.”
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