What a difference a year makes for Niall Scannell

If Niall Scannell ever needs a reality check about what real pressure feels like, he and his Munster team-mates do not need to search too far back in the memory banks.

Of course, there will be tension felt in the camp as preparations continue ahead of Saturday’s Guinness PRO12 final against Scarlets but ultimately the feeling at the end of a long and often trying campaign is one of excitement at the prospect of their big day out at Aviva Stadium.

A year ago, the rookie hooker was focused on a very different type of contest with the same opposition, with the team from West Wales due in Limerick for the final day of the regular league season and with a top six finish in the balance for Anthony Foley’s Munster.