Munster must rise to next level

Over the next two weekends, Rob Penney is about to learn just how much progress has been made since he began his revolution of the Munster rugby philosophy five months ago.

The New Zealander has rightly and repeatedly urged Munster’s passionate followers that his is a long-term mission to develop a predominantly young squad into a group of intelligent, instinctive and clear-thinking rugby players.

So far the signs have been good, but they are just that. Signs. Glimpses. Passages of play that point tantalisingly towards a 15-man Munster gameplan where forwards and backs interact as equals, sharing the intensity and physicality required of the former as well as the ball-handling and decision-making qualities necessary in the latter.