Okay, so here's the good news.... Niall Scannell is having a fine season.
Remember when the IRFU insisted, on Friday, that Ireland captain Rory Best was NOT ruled out of the Italy game but flew James Tracy out anyway?
Well, it turns out Best is out and Tracy will be on the bench at Stadio Olimpico this afternoon. Munster hooker Scannell will make his Test debut in the No.2 jersey.
https://twitter.com/IrishRugby/status/830402105001250817
Joe Schmidt told RTE that Best 'probably could play' but Ireland erred on the side of caution and backed the Munster and Leinster hookers, who have a combined 1 cap between them.
Best is suffering badly from a stomach bug and missed the captain's run at the stadium last night. Speaking at Friday's Captain's Run, Jamie Heraslip, who will now lead his country, said it would be 'absolutely no problem' to adapt without Best. He commented:
"Ironically, it happened to us with Paulie [O'Connell] in one of our first championships, so if it has to be it has to be.
"We’ve got a really good leadership group and if one guy isn’t there for whatever reason that leadership group gets tighter and really drives the collective."
Confirmation of Best missing out ends a damn impressive Six Nations record:
https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/830361589400354816
The match kicks off at 2:25pm.
