Sammy Arnold remains grounded despite Grand Slam experience

Yet he was recently called up to the Ireland squad that pulled off the Grand Slam. Itâs a swift progression that leaves him just a little bemused.
âItâs been strange, no doubt about that,â he smiles.
âIf you had said it to me at the start of the season, Iâd probably have laughed in your face. For me personally, itâs been great to get that experience in camp and be in the squad for the last two games. Itâs nice to see what it takes to win a Grand Slam and the work that goes behind it.
âThey all have Grand Slams now but they are guys you learn from and growing up guys you would have looked up to. You pinch yourself sometimes when youâre in there as you try to soak up what you can and learn off as many of them while you can.
âTo get that look at what it takes to win a Grand Slam, there was so much that went into it and everyone played a part in it. It was awesome to see what it takes to go that next step and Iâm very grateful that Joe gave me the opportunity to be in there.â
Very quickly, you realise that Arnold has his feet very much on the ground and hasnât become carried away with his quickfire promotion.
âBut from here on, for me itâs about focusing on Munster,â he stressed. âThe next two weeks are massive and they are going to signify how the season goes come May.
âItâs going to be awesome for us having the lads coming back off the Grand Slam. Theyâre on top of the world, you know theyâll be coming back full of confidence, and thatâs something sure to add to the team. Itâs something Iâm going to be looking forward to.â
Munster fans will be hoping that Arnold maintains the high standard he displayed when, after recovering from a series of frustrating injuries, his commitment and hard running and even harder tackling made him a key figure on his return. Now he is a seriously important member of the set-up as injuries continue to deprive the side of an outstanding centre (Chris Farrell), wing (Keith Earls) and out-half (Tyler Bleyendaal).
âItâs not easy with the pile of injuries but I think most teams in the league have injuries, except that with us itâs more senior guys going down. Probably more so than any other year.
âAt the same time, itâs a great opportunity for younger guys to try and make that step up and see where they really are. We have had guys who stepped in before and they have managed to do a job. But this is the crunch time of the season and we have to get going this weekend.
âWith all these injuries, I think Iâm the exception to the rule. I had my bad luck last season. Itâs one of those things that happen with every player. For us as a team, obviously we know we have to kick on from now but we canât look any further than Scarlets this weekend.
âThey beat us at home last season and they beat us in the final at the Aviva as well. Theyâre an awesome team and will be a massive challenge but one weâre very excited for as well.â
Arnold, a native of Redhill, Surrey and 22 early next month, is philosophical about the injuries that have hurt his career over the years, admitting that when the call comes for replacements to measure up it can be âtough to be readyâ.
âAs a rugby player, thereâs rarely a time when youâre 100% fit. Itâs so physical, youâre always going to be looking after something during the training week and making sure itâs 100% for the weekend so you can go full throttle. You have to rehab, you have to manage and play with it and get it right. Itâs part of the game.â
Getting back to basics and Munsterâs poor performance in Edinburgh he says: âThe main focus this week has been guys taking a long, hard look at themselves both individually and as a team. We know ourselves what we put on display at the weekend wasnât acceptable but we have the perfect chance this week against Scarlets of setting it straight.â