Billy Scannell
Billy Scannell (born 16 September 1999) is an Irish rugby union player for French Rugby Pro D2 side Biarritz. He plays as a hooker.
Date of birth | 16 September 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Place of birth | Cork, Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 96 kg (15.1 st; 212 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Presentation Brothers College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notable relative(s) | Niall Scannell (brother) Rory Scannell (brother) Jack O'Sullivan (cousin) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early life and Munster
Born in Cork, Scannell is the younger brother of Munster players Niall and Rory and a cousin of Jack O'Sullivan, who is currently in his final year in Munster's academy. He attended Presentation Brothers College, Cork and won a Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup in 2017, in a side that was captained by his cousin Jack.[1] Scannell also captained the school's senior side, and started for Ireland under-18s in all three of their tests against Italy, England and Wales.[2] After finishing school in 2018, Scannell entered Munster's sub-academy and began playing in the amateur All-Ireland League with Limerick club Young Munster.[3]
Move to France
Scannell was overlooked for promotion to Munster's academy, so instead, at the age of 19, he signed a two-year academy contract with French club Biarritz ahead of the 2019–20 season. The deal meant that Scannell would train full-time with the club's senior squad, whilst initially playing matches for the espoirs, or under-23s, side.[3] He made his senior competitive debut for the club in their 2019–20 Pro D2 round 20 fixture away to Vannes on 14 February 2020.[4]
International
Having previously represented Ireland at under-18 and under-19 level, Scannell made his debut for Ireland under-20s in their 34–14 win against Italy on 22 February 2019 during the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[5] Ireland went on to win a grand slam in that year's tournament.[3]
References
- "PBC Win 29th Munster Schools Senior Cup Title". Munster Rugby. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
- "Young Gun: Billy Scannell – Munster hooker". The Rugby Paper. 18 August 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
- "Ireland U20 international Scannell signs for French club Biarritz". The42. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
- "Madigan slots penalty for Bristol and 20-year-old Scannell debuts in Biarritz". The42. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- "Ireland Under-20s Stay Top After Bonus Point Raid In Rieti". Irish Rugby. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2020.