New regime is taking shape

Munster intend to have Rob Penney’s management staff appointed by the time the new head coach arrives in Ireland this summer.

Munster Rugby chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald yesterday made clear his province would not be standing still and congratulating themselves on finding a quality coach to replace the outgoing Tony McGahan but would be moving swiftly to install a new team manager and backs coach to join the former Canterbury head coach and forwards coach Anthony Foley in the new regime.

And in a further signal that Munster intend to hit the ground running in the 2012-13 campaign, Fitzgerald also set New Zealander Penney the highest challenge possible for his first season in charge — a Heineken Cup final place in 12 months at the Aviva Stadium.