WATCH – Munster’s Sammy Arnold says he’d love to line up alongside former 20’s teammate Garry Ringrose for Ireland in the future

Centres Sammy Arnold and Garry Ringrose sat down with Irish Rugby TV to for an update on how they’re progressing in Irish camp.

Both men will have added pressure on their shoulders following injuries to Robbie Henshaw and Chris Farrell, who will both miss the rest of the Six Nations Championship.

Arnold has had a meteoric rise this year, gaining his first European Champions Cup start with Munster as well as playing a vital role in the Guinness Pro 14.

He now finds himself on the fringes of the Irish side that will take on Wales in Dublin at the weekend, although Ringrose will be favoured to come in to partner Bundee Aki in the midfield.

The English-born centre has taken part in two open training sessions with Ireland during this year’s Six Nations.

“It was really enjoyable, it was nice to get that feeling, training at the Aviva. Getting used to all the calls and the speed of International training. It’s definitely a massive step up, I’m just trying to take in all the information that I can.”

With family from Ireland, Arnold made the decision to follow his path to International rugby through the Irish system, where he ended up in the Ulster academy, making his senior debut at 18.

“My mum is from Wexford and my granddad is from Cork and my granny is from Wexford as well so growing up I was a bit torn between the two and then it got to a point where I either had to go ahead with The Exiles or carry on with the English age grade stuff.”

Following a difficult time with Ulster, following a spate of injuries Arnold made the move to Munster, where he again struggled for fitness. This year Arnold has come into his own and has impressed with every opportunity he has been given.

“It’s the he most rugby I’ve played in senior rugby. The body feels great, just really happy to be back playing.”

Although it most likely won’t materialise during this year’s Six Nations Arnold and Ringrose have played together at under 20’s level and the Munster centre says he would love to renew his partnership with the Leinster man at International level at some point in the future.

“At some point I’d be delighted to play with Garry again. When, or if it will ever happen, I don’t know. I think the main thing from the squad point of view is to try and put your individual ambitions to the side as best you can. I’d hope one day that me and Garry would line up alongside each other.”

Watch the full video below. Courtesy of Irish Rugby TV.

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