MUNSTER kick off their Heineken Cup campaign this Saturday afternoon in Paris. Racing Metro provide the opposition for Rob Penney’s first European action as head coach. The New Zealander is relishing the prospect of coaching a side in the top European competition.
“We play Racing Metro at Stade de France and then Edinburgh at a sold-out Thomond Park – wow!” said Penney.
“Being able to coach in the Heineken Cup was one of the major attractions of coming to Munster. It is the best club rugby tournament in the world game. It allows you to pit yourself against some of the best coaches around and the wealth and depth of talent available to the clubs are incredible. There is so much passion associated with the competition and I can’t wait to get going.”
Munster fans were dealt a harsh blow of reality in the last two fixtures. Munster have shipped 60 points in their last two outings and fans have quickly come to realise that this season’s Heineken Cup could be a long hard battle.
Penney believes that the pressure on Munster is something the players have been used to dealing with and other factors in Munster’s favour mean that this season will be a hard fought one.
“Pressure is something you can either embrace and use to your benefit, or get negative and twisted about and let it kill you,” said Penney.
“Success needs to be measured on more than just the scoreboard and we have an exciting young group of athletes coming through the ranks. The main job has been trying to put old heads onto those young shoulders in the early part of the season. The statistics show that the teams that succeed in the Heineken Cup have done so on the back of experience.”
Ahead of this weekend’s clash, Penney has some injury worries hanging over his squad.
Donncha O’Callaghan (hamstring) had a scan this week and reports suggest he will be in the squad for the Racing Metro game. Loose-head prop Marcus Horan is also expected to be in contention for a place in the squad while a decision on Niall Ronan will be delayed until Friday.
Mike Sherry, who left the Aviva stadium on Saturday on crutches, is expected to play some role while Luke O’Dea, John Murphy and Felix Jones are all back in action, but this weekend’s game might be a week too early for that trio.
Another headache for Penney is the selection dilemma he faces at 10. Ronan O’Gara has struggled this season to adapt to the more expansive and deep gameplan. Ian Keatley, heir apparent to the number 10 shirt, is pushing hard for selection.
Rob Penney was not giving anything away this week. “O’Gara is such a great influence on everyone at the club. He has been really positive and has worked so hard to be in a position to contribute on his return. Ian Keatley has benefitted from working alongside him and he is growing in stature all the time. We will really need the youngsters to step up to the mark in the Heineken Cup.” Much like the decision at 10, the game this weekend is anyone’s guess. Verdict: Racing to win by a kick.
