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.

Billy Scannell
Date of birth (1999-09-16) 16 September 1999
Place of birthCork, Ireland
Height1.81 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in)
Weight96 kg (15.1 st; 212 lb)
SchoolPresentation Brothers College
Notable relative(s)Niall Scannell (brother)
Rory Scannell (brother)
Jack O'Sullivan (cousin)
Donal O'Sullivan (grandfather)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Young Munster ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020– Biarritz 1 (0)
Correct as of 14 February 2020
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019 Ireland U20 1 (0)
Correct as of 22 February 2019

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. His grandfather is Donal O'Sullivan, who captained Cork to the 1956 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final.[1] Scannell first began playing rugby for Douglas RFC, but switched to Cork Constitution at under-12 level, where his older brothers were already on the books. 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]

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.[4] 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.[5]

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.[6] Ireland went on to win a grand slam in that year's tournament.[4]

References
  1. "'I play rugby because I love the game, not just because my brothers play'". The42. 23 August 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  2. "PBC Win 29th Munster Schools Senior Cup Title". Munster Rugby. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  3. "Young Gun: Billy Scannell – Munster hooker". The Rugby Paper. 18 August 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  4. "Ireland U20 international Scannell signs for French club Biarritz". The42. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  5. "Madigan slots penalty for Bristol and 20-year-old Scannell debuts in Biarritz". The42. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  6. "Ireland Under-20s Stay Top After Bonus Point Raid In Rieti". Irish Rugby. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
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