Penney braced for key Perpignan tests

Munster’s double-header with Perpignan in December looks like being the key to qualification from the pool stages of the 2013/14 Heineken Cup following the release of the official fixture list yesterday.

But head coach Rob Penney has indicated that he is pleased with the hand Munster have been dealt.

Munster’s European quest begins with the visit of Edinburgh and Penney is well aware that familiarity with the Scottish side is “a case of the devil you know versus the devil you don’t.” The New Zealander stressed that Edinburgh “won’t be the same side as they were last year and if they replicate what they did the year before they’ll be very dangerous.”