Niall Scannell extends his stay with Munster

February 10, 2025
229
Ultimate Rugby

Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to announce a one-year contract extension for Niall Scannell.

The 20-cap Ireland international hooker is on track to reach 200 appearances for Munster having scored 22 tries in 189 appearances to date.

Scannell played a key role in Munster’s URC title-winning 2022/23 season, making 22 appearances over the campaign (15 starts).

The 32-year-old hooker made his Munster debut against Scarlets in December 2013 having come up through the ranks at PBC and Dolphin RFC.

He captained PBC to the Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup in 2010 before leading the Ireland U20s at the 2012 Junior World Championship.

Joined by his brother Rory in the starting line-up, the Scannells become the first set of brothers to start for Munster in the URC (then PRO12) away to Newport-Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade in December 2015.

Started on his Ireland debut in the 2017 6 Nations clash with Italy in Rome and went on to feature in the remaining four games.

Nominated for Munster Player of the Year later in 2017 before he and younger brother Rory became the first Munster brothers to play for Ireland together in the professional era against Japan in Shizuoka.

Helped Ireland win a first Test series victory in Australia since 1979 in 2018.

Niall played four games in the 2019 Rugby World Cup and made his 100th Munster appearance away to Racing 92 in January 2020.

He captained the province for the first time in the away win over Zebre the following month before featuring for Ireland in both games against Maori All Blacks on the 2022 New Zealand tour.

Scannell has continued his key role with an average of 18 appearances per season over the past three years and has already played 14 games so far this season.