Rob Penney wary of Connacht threat

Munster are clearly not suffering any hangover from the dismal 22-5 home defeat to Glasgow Warriors ahead of two crucial games, if the high jinks after training in the Limerick sunshine is anything to go by.

Rob Penney and his management team put the squad through a full session at University of Limerick and afterwards there was plenty of giddiness as players tried to distract those put forward for media duties, while those already in the changing room were in full voice as some song was blasted out.

Away from all the banter Penney has some pressing matters as he prepares for two games which could define his final season. First up is a trip to Galway on Saturday when they will try get their bid for a home Pro12 place back on track before turning their attentions to the Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulon.

The Munster coach said there was no question of them wrapping Ian Keatley up in cotton wool against Connacht despite not having an obvious back-up at outhalf for Toulon.

JJ Hanrahan has been ruled out of Saturday's clash with Connacht and Penney's views of whether he would be available to play in Marseille weren't encouraging: "It would be a miracle but you never know. JJ has got a small groin tear and we are waiting for a specialist's opinion but we're not sure of time lines yet. He certainly won't be available this week."

Provide cover
Johnny Holland, who looks set to provide cover this weekend in Galway, is not registered for the Heineken Cup and if Hanrahan doesn't make it then Johne Murphy or scumhalf Conor Murray will be the options to cover number 10.

“We’ve gotta play Ian, there’s no problem there. It’s an important game for us this weekend. It’s footy though isn’t it? We’ve got a game to get over this weekend and it’s an important one as well.”

Penney said he would be going full tilt to get the win in the Sportsground and he dismissed the notion that he would start taking players off and resting them in the second-half: “Munster has traditionally had a very tough battle up there. So, you know, that won’t be in our thinking at that stage.”

Penney does not know if Donnacha Ryan will make the Connacht game or the trip to Marseille: “Donnacha is marginal. He is making steady progress but we won’t know until probably just before kick off.”