Munster 33 Dragons 13MUNSTER COACH Rob Penney has admitted that he faces significant selection dilemmas as he prepares his side for the start of the Heineken Cup campaign in three weeks.
The New Zealander has used the sporadic return of his Irish internationals as an opportunity to experiment and says he is now in the welcome position of having a variety of options.
Their bonus point win over Dragons at Thomond Park on Saturday night was achieved with Keith Earls starring in his favoured position of outside centre, while Ian Keatley also produced a quality display at full-back.
And Penney pointed out that up front several options have also emerged as he bids to make a big impact in his first season in charge.
“There are a number of positions that are challenging for us. We lost a guy like James Coughlan last week and then Paddy Butler – a young man – came in and was terrific. Niall Ronan, in his first game back after Sean Dougall has done a fantastic job at seven and Niall has a steamer. I won’t even talk about what is happening in the front row. There are so many good people in there,” said Penney.
Penney was pleased with the way they bounced back from their 20-19 loss away to Ulster and with Casey Laulala being rested, he acknowledged that Earls made the most of his chance at No.13.
“I think the beauty about Keith is his durability and his versatility. He is a tough, robust bloke. He is very athletic and very skilful. I think he is a marvellous 13, he can also play inside centre and is proven on the wing and can probably play fullback too if we wanted him to.”
Earls wasted little time in making an impact, releasing the pass to Simon Zebo which created the opening for Keatley to score inside 90 seconds in a move which also included Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer — starting together for the first time in 19 months — and Doug Howlett.
“It was off the back of a really good set-piece and the pass to Zebo was a terrific pass and it got us underway,” added Penney.
Niall Ronan marked his return from a knee injury in January to grab the second after another flowing movement to leave it 14-6 at the break.
They wrapped up the issue in a three-minute spell when Conor Murray dived over off a scrum and then Zebo crowned a fine display to touchdown down after 53 minutes after another opening created by Earls.
Dan Evans pulled one back after stepping inside Murray but Munster finished on a high when O’Donnell got their fifth try.
“I’m happy with large parts of it . . .I think we are on the right trajectory, I think we are improving and it was a great credit to the guys who came in,” said Penney.
“When you make that many changes – some forced, some because you want to give guys a run – you can have a lot of issues with your continuity, but great credit to the guys who came in they have done their homework and slotted in quite seamlessly which was great,” he said.
MUNSTER: I Keatley; D Howlett (capt), K Earls, J Downey, S Zebo; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, M Sherry, BJ Botha; Donncha O'Callaghan, B Holland; Dave O'Callaghan, N Ronan, P Butler. Replacements: C Murray for Stringer (50 mins), S Archer for Botha (57 mins), D Barnes for Zebo, D Foley for Holland, W du Preez for Horan, D Varley for Sherry (all 65 mins), T O'Donnell for Ronan (70 mins), JJ Hanrahan for O'Gara (73 mins).
DRAGONS: D Evans; W Harries, A Hughes, A Smith, T Prydie; L Robling, J Evans; P Price, S Jones (capt), D Way; I Nimmo, A Jones; D Lydiate, J Groves, T Brown. Replacements: A Tuilagi for Smith (60 mins), P Leach for Prydie, S Parry for S Jones (both mins), A Coundley for Price (67 mins), L Davies for Hughes (74 mins).
Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy).
