Coach gives Keatley chance to recover form

Munster head coach Rob Penney has kept faith with fly-half Ian Keatley to regain his form and steer the province to victory over Gloucester at Kingsholm tonight (6pm).

Keatley, who has been managing a hip and groin issue this season which has hampered his kicking action, endured a miserable evening at Ravenhill last weekend as Ulster ended his side’s nine-game winning streak and Munster slumped to just its second league defeat of the season. The former Connacht man was below par in front of the posts, missing his first four kicks at goal, three penalties and a conversion with Munster ultimately losing 29-19.

That led to calls for JJ Hanrahan to be included at out-half instead but Penney has resisted the claims of the 21-year-old, and chosen experience over youth.