Stephen Archer provides Rob Penney with an additional boost this week following Munster’s much-needed RaboDirect Pro12 victory over Edinburgh at Musgrave Park on Saturday.

Having come through Saturday’s 30-3 victory over Edinburgh unscathed, internationals Simon Zebo and Donnacha Ryan represent Munster head coach Rob Penney’s biggest injury concerns.

Munster backline duo Doug Howlett and Felix Jones have been ruled out of action for February after both underwent minor knee scopes last week.

The Munster medical team have reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of the province’s crucial Heineken Cup Pool 1 showdown against Racing Metro at Thomond Park on Sunday (12.45pm).

Munster full-back Sean Scanlon has been ruled out of action until after Christmas after undergoing surgery to correct a back problem.

Ronan O’Gara will miss Munster’s Heineken Cup game with Edinburgh on Sunday (Thomond Park, 12.45pm).

Paul O'Connell completed his first hour of rugby for Munster since May after lining out against Racing Metro on Saturday and reported no ill effects after the game.

Munster’s Rob Penney and Paul O’Connell will have a serious discussion en-route to Glasgow tomorrow as they help launch the new RaboDirect Pro12 campaign.

A tough day at the office for Munster’s youngsters, who fell heavily to French second division outfit Stade Rochelais at the Stade Marcel Deflandre in searing heat last night.

Munster A secured a first British and Irish Cup victory with an accomplished all-round performance that overpowered brave Cross Keys at Musgrave Park last night.

Munster A’ 31 Cross Keys 12

Shannon 9 Cork Constitution 19

Munster’s hand has been further strengthened after ten players signed new contracts.

An injury-time try from Sean Scanlon sealed a remarkable come-from-behind victory for Cork Constitution over city rivals Dolphin to cap a rollercoaster Ulster Bank League Division 1A victory under the lights at Temple Hill.

Cork Constitution 5 Dolpin 10

A combination of international commitment and injuries has resulted in a relatively inexperienced 28-man squad for Munster’s RaboDirect PRO 12 fixture in Thomond Park against Cardiff on Friday (7.05pm).

Cork Constitution kept their Ulster Bank All-Ireland League dream alive with a devastating second half display at Temple Hill on Saturday.

St. Mary's College 21 Cork Constitution 8

MUNSTER will ring the changes for tonight’s clash with Ulster, with only skipper Mick O’Driscoll, fly-half Ian Keatley and right-wing Luke O’Dea remaining from the side which defeated Connacht.

Just three of those who started against Connacht last weekend remain in the Munster side for the trip to Belfast and the RaboDirect PRO12 encounter with Ulster in Ravenhill tomorrow evening (6.45pm).

Munster have named a 31-strong squad for the trip to Belfast and the RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Ulster on Friday evening.

MUNSTER travel to Ravenhill for Friday’s RaboDirect Pro12 in high spirits after a side lacking a number of leading players defeated Connacht 24-9 in John Hayes’s swan song at Thomond Park on Monday evening.

IMPORTANT RaboDirect Pro12 league points were at stake at Thomond Park last night, but the occasion was really all about John Hayes and his last appearance in a Munster shirt after 217 honour-laden competitive appearances.

Munster 24 Connacht 9

CONNACHT’S Eric Elwood signalled his intent ahead of Monday’s Rabo Direct 12 clash with Munster by making just one enforced change from the side that lost to Gloucester in last week’s Heineken Cup tie at Kingsholm.

A start for John Hayes in his last Munster game represents one of 11 changes to Tony McGahan’s starting XV from last weekend for the St. Stephen’s Day RaboDirect PRO12 meeting with Connacht in Thomond Park.

MUNSTER’S injury woes continued yesterday when the province confirmed Peter O’Mahony will miss the Scarlets game.

Munster's Peter O'Mahony will miss Sunday's return game with Scarlets after sustaining a hairline crack to his jaw in the Round 3 game in Parc Y Scarlets last Saturday.

The Leinster medical team have reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO 12 clash with Connacht at the RDS (5pm).

AT last, Munster secured a victory at the third time of asking in this pre-season programme — a timely boost in advance of Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 league opener at Musgrave Park against Newport Gwent Dragons.

AN emotional and historic day at Donnybrook as Old Belvedere toppled champions Cork Constitution to claim the top prize in Irish club for the first time yesterday.

Cork Constitution 17 Old Belvedere 20

Old Belvedere have won the Ulster Bank league Div 1 final by three points as they saw off Cork Constitution by three points.

Cork Constitution 19 Young Munster 9

Cork Constitution 33 Blackrock College 16

A NECK injury to young centre Tom Gleeson capped a miserable night in the British & Irish Cup for Munster at Bristol.

Dolphin 16 Cork Constitution 23

Cork Constitution 23 Old Belvedere 12

MUNSTER’S James Coughlan has dismissed suggestions the current playing squad are past their prime.

Munster A 64 Esher 9

MUNSTER A coach Anthony Foley has entrusted the same forwards that battled past Nottingham last week to do a repeat job on Esher in tonight’s British and Irish Cup clash at Garryowen’s Dooradoyle (7.30pm).

Munster coach Tony McGahan has named a preliminary 30-man squad ahead of the game against Australia set for Tuesday November 16 at Thomond Park.