200-cap stalwart Rory Scannell leaves Munster after 12 years
The centre played his 200th game for Munster in last Saturday's URC quarter-final narrow defeat at the Sharks, the 31-year-old coming off the bench and becoming the unfortunate player to miss the shootout kick at goal which decided the contest after 100 minutes of rugby could not separate the sides in a match drawn 24-24.
Scannell, who also earned three caps for Ireland, is the 16th player to make 200 appearances for Munster, and he is believed to be joining a new club for next season, though that has yet to be confirmed. His departure follows the retirements of Peter O'Mahony, Dave Kilcoyne and Stephen Archer while Conor Murray is also heading for pastures new to extend his playing career.
Having come up through PBC and Dolphin RFC in Cork, Scannell joined the academy in the summer of 2013 having played every game of Ireland's Under-20s Six Nations campaign the previous spring and appeared in the World U20s championship, where he was also an ever-present for Ireland.
As an academy third year in 2015-16 he became the first player to win both the academy and young player of the year awards in the same season, having made 26 senior appearances. It was a campaign which saw Anthony Foley's side secure Champions Cup rugby for the following season with victories in the final two games and Scannell scored three tries in those two must-win appearances while his start at the Dragons earlier in the season also saw him play alongside older brother Niall, becoming the first set of brothers to start for Munster in the PRO12.
Ireland senior recognition came in 2017 on the summer tour of Japan and the USA when he kicked two conversions against the Americans in New Jersey, a Test which saw the brothers become the first from Munster to represent their country in the professional era. All three of his Ireland caps came on that tour.
The youngest player to reach 100 Munster appearances at the age of 25 at the Scarlets in March 2019 clash, Scannell reached 150 caps against Ulster in January 2022 and was a regular in the 2023 URC title run with 16 appearances that season.
'It's been a huge honour to play for my home club 200 times, particularly alongside my brother,' Rory Scannell said.
"It's been a rollercoaster of ups and downs over the last 12 years, but I have made so many great memories that will live with me forever. I've met some great people here and made friends for life.
"The squad is in a great place and I just want to wish the club very best of luck going forward and I will be supporting them wherever I am.' Head of rugby operations and interim head coach Ian Costello paid tribute to Scannell, adding: 'Everyone in the province couldn't speak highly enough of Rory as a player and a person.
'Very few players have contributed as much as he has to Munster Rugby over the past 12 years both on and off the field.
'He is the youngest ever player to reach 100 caps for Munster and was a key member of our leadership group.
'He is the ultimate team player and an excellent team-mate, always putting the club before himself.
'An extremely popular member of the squad, he will be sorely missed and we wish him and his wife Aisling the very best for the future.'
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