'It's a phone call I've been waiting for for a long time' - Scannell proud of Irish return

It's nearly three years since Niall Scannell last played for Ireland, and as recently as a few days ago it didn't look like he'd be pulling on a green shirt any time soon.

While the 30-year-old won't have earned an official Test cap for his appearance against the Maori All Blacks yesterday, his 30 minutes in Hamilton will mean as much to him as any of his 20 previous appearances.

The Munster hooker had only landed in New Zealand on Tuesday, having been rushed over at the last minute following an injury to Rob Herring.

And having been on holiday in Portugal when he got the call from Farrell, he didn't even have time to pack his rugby gear, admitting he was wearing Andrew Porter's spare boots, which had been specially embroidered for last month's Champions Cup final.

"They were alright at scrumtime in fairness to them, I must enquire about keeping them," he said, before admitting they might be a bit too blue to wear back in Cork.

"The only problem was they said 'Final Marseille Champions Cup' on them, which was a hard one for a Munster man to wear!

"The minute I came in the door he said he had the same size and gave them to me, fair play to him. I badly needed them. Most of the lads were the same.

"To be fair, they were all helping me out with boots, gumshields, shoulder pads, gear, the whole lot, they all rowed in to get me out on the pitch.

"I just had to try do my best in terms of learning the lineouts and plays. Obviously the performance didn't go the way we planned, but I was delighted to get some gametime, and to be back in camp was great for me and hugely energising.

"I'd sacrifice the holidays for that any day."

Scannell had been "enjoying a few beverages" on holidays in Portugal with his wife and brothers when the call came