Penney expects ding dong battle for No 10

Munster coach Rob Penney is looking forward to a major battle in the race to succeed Ronan O’Gara as the director of on-field operations.

Ian Keatley is in pole position but Penney expects young JJ Hanrahan to make a bold bid to become first choice No 10, and the coach has promised to give him an opportunity to do so during the season.

Describing O’Gara as “irreplaceable”, Penney nevertheless expressed confidence that Keatley would make his own mark, having produced a succession of impressive performances last season.