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Published 16:40 1 Sept 2016 BST
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One of the bright spots of a tough season for Munster, last term. Formed an effective, at times thrilling, partnership with Francis Saili and fronted up in Europe.
Was in danger of being looked upon merely as a battering ram option until he found his attacking voice and started backing himself to beat his man. Went without a try in his first 22 senior appearances before stepping up when Munster needed him, at the end of the season.
With Champions Cup hopes receding, Scannell scored four tries in seven games including two on the final day - in a man-of-the-match performance - to guarantee Munster will tangle with the big boys this season.
Niyi Adeolokun, 25 (Connacht)
'Young Niysy' had the mother of all seasons for Connacht as they swept to Guinness PRO12 glory.
He went on a scoring drought for a couple of months but ended the season in unstoppable form - Munster, Glasgow and Leinster all tried and failed to shut him down. Schmidt would look upon the former DCU winger as an unpolished diamond but the benefits of playing under Pat Lam are clear for all to see.
Matt Healy and Tiernan O'Halloran eventually forced their way into the reckoning and touring South Africa. Back up a fantastic 2015/16 and the Nigeria-born winger could follow in their footsteps.
Jacob Stockdale, 20 (Ulster)
The Newtownstewart native was a revelation for Ireland U20s and the Junior World Championships [or whatever they call it now] this summer. Missed most of the U20 Six Nations, last season, as he was with the senior Ulster squad.
While most provinces would push a close friend off a pier to get their hands on a flying winger with pace and bravery to burn, Ulster are well stocked. Les Kiss is a big fan of the youngster and a bright start will not go unnoticed by Schmidt.
Luke McGrath, 23 (Leinster)
It says a lot about the fate Leinster have in McGrath that they allowed Isaac Boss to move on and Eoin Reddan to retire without much of a fight. Played 23 games for Leinster last season, set up seven tries and ran in five of his own.
Not quite at that Conor Murray level for game control but this is an important season for him. Hold off Nick McCarthy and Jamison Gibson-Park and he could have every chance of featuring in the November Series squads.
Other young stars we are keeping an eye on include James Ryan (Leinster), Caolin Blade (Connacht), Kyle McCall (Ulster), Brian Byrne (Leinster), James O'Donoghue (Munster), Kieran Treadwell (Ulster), Cian Kelleher (Connacht) and Barry Daly (Leinster), who lots of folks in rugby circles seem to be very excited about.
Consider our bets hedged.
The new GAA Hour football podcast is here. Listen to Colm Parkinson, Senan Connell, and Barry Cahill dissect a classic between Dublin and Kerry. Subscribe here on iTunes.
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