Murray rested as Penney looks at options

The absence of Conor Murray from tonight’s Munster squad for the must-win RaboDirect Pro12 game with Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun has set the tongues wagging — is he out of favour, injured, or what?

According to sources within the province there is nothing sinister — Murray is simply being rested with Duncan Williams given another start at No 9 and Cathal Sheridan, who was so impressive in Munster’s facile win over Connacht, afforded another opportunity to play off the bench.

Murray will still be in pole position come selection for the team to play Harlequins at the Stoop in Sunday week’s Heineken Cup quarter-final, a game of huge importance to Munster as they run out of options to chase silverware this season. But Williams could well be facing a severe challenge to keep a place in the reserves if Sheridan can replicate the form he showed for so long during Munster’s victory over Connacht.