Penney: O’Connell had no case to answer

Munster coach Rob Penney insisted Paul O’Connell had “absolutely nothing to answer for” following the clash which left Leinster’s Dave Kearney suffering concussion in Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 League tie at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Tournament bosses confirmed yesterday O’Connell would not face any sanction and will be free to play in the province’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Clermont Auvergne on April 27.

It is understood that in reviewing footage of the 62nd-minute incident, the Munster lock’s actions were considered “careless, but not intentional and not an insidious act of foul play and therefore not a red card offence”.