Niall Scannell ready to do his best for Ireland

Niall Scannell’s readiness for Test rugby got the Ireland management’s seal of approval last night as the uncapped Munster hooker prepared to stand in for sick captain Rory Best against Italy this afternoon.

Called up for the Irish Six Nations squad alongside his brother and Munster centre Rory, Niall, 23, was on standby for a full Test debut in the Ireland front row in the event of Best failing to recover overnight from a stomach bug that left the skipper confined to his Rome hotel room yesterday.

Best, who won his 101st cap Saturday in the loss to Scotland on the opening day of the 2017 Six Nations, did not participate in yesterday’s captain’s run at Stadio Olimpico with Scannell poised to start in the number two jersey and vice-captain Jamie Heaslip ready to lead the side.