Howlett provides Penney with hope

New Munster coach Rob Penney was stretched to find positives from a highly disappointing opening game of three pre-season friendlies in La Rochelle on Friday night but had one in the form of veteran Doug Howlett.

The jury is out on whether some of Munster’s young guns have done enough to impress the new coaching team and Penney warned they might have to move fast to make up lost ground as French second division side Stade Rochelais hit the new kids for six tries.

The consolation came via a high-quality performance from Howlett whose successful return from long-term injury (Achilles tendon) and the form he showed with limited possession will be a source of satisfaction.

On a night made to suit running rugby — it was 25 degrees — Munster couldn’t master the basics, with Penney pointing out how his young side had been guilty of 22 unforced errors and had conceded 13 line breaks to the home side.

“Dougie is a great player and a massive influence on the group and it is always good to get a player of his calibre back,” said Penney.

The former All Black star certainly couldn’t be faulted for Munster’s inability to produce try scoring opportunities, or for an eventual frail showing in defence. It does, however, mean that Penney has a lot of work to do.

Munster have upcoming matches on consecutive Fridays against Bristol and London Irish and Penney will be looking for much more imagination, flair and basic skill from his charges.

“It [preparation] didn’t always manifest itself in a positive manner on the track today,” he warned.

“It is important learning and is money in the bank for the long term, but certainly there are some massive areas of learning that need to be dealt with in the short term so we can get out of these boys what they are capable of doing.

“We have learned a lot about some people and that is always important. That’s the first time we have see a few of these boys play. Some of them put their hands up and some of them didn’t. Some of them will and we have just got to try and sort out the ones that are capable of doing so.”