No early Munster return for O’Connell, cautions Penney
O’Connell continues to rehabilitate a bulging disc in his back, a problem which flared up again in the week of Ireland’s opening autumn Test against South Africa a fortnight ago. Doubts the 33-year-old former Munster and Lions captain may not be fit in time to face Saracens in the crucial Heineken Cup double header starting in three weeks were not eased when Penney was asked for an update yesterday.
“To be honest, I don’t actually know,” Penney said. “I’ve seen him and had discussions with him but as I said the last time we went through this, I don’t ask him ‘when’. We just talk footy stuff and he’ll let us know when he’s ready.
“He’s doing a bit in the gym but he’s not doing anything on the grass, so that’s an indicator that he’s still a wee way away, I’d say. But he’ll be ready when he’s ready.”
Munster play for the first time in three weeks on Sunday as they host Scarlets at Musgrave Park in a Rabo Pro12 clash. Second-placed Scarlets face fourth-placed Munster with back-rower Tommy O’Donnell the only fresh injury doubt with a “niggly” ankle injury, according to Penney, in the A team’s win over Leinster A at Donnybrook last week.
There is some good back-row news for the Munster coaching staff still dealing without James Coughlan and Sean Dougall, however, with the return of openside flanker Niall Ronan from a groin problem while new signing CJ Stander could also feature in a match squad for the first time since joining from South Africa’s Blue Bulls.
Penney, though, ruled out any involvement for Munster’s Ireland contingent not involved in the Test against Argentina on Saturday night.
“I think it’s the right thing given we’ve had a good couple of weeks preparation with this group and the guys up in camp have got a big focus this weekend.”
Ireland head coach Declan Kidney names his team to face Los Pumas today having given his players the day off yesterday. Wing Craig Gilroy, the hat-trick hero from last weekend’s 53-0 win over Fiji, used his free time to pen a three-year contract extension keeping the 21-year-old at Ulster until summer 2016.
“I am delighted I will be playing my rugby at Ravenhill well into 2016,” Gilroy said.
Also putting pen to paper yesterday was another young back with a bright future, Connacht and Ireland U20 scrum-half Kieran Marmion, who committed himself to the province until 2015.
Marmion, 20, has started all 10 games for Connacht after making his debut this season.
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