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.

There are six changes to the side beaten by Ulster with Ireland and Lions scrum-half Conor Murray returning following five weeks out with ligament damage in his knee suffered in round three at home to Perpignan.

Murray, replaces the injured Cathal Sheridan and the Limerick man is set to win his 50th cap in a backline that will also see Keith Earls, Johne Murphy and James Downey return to action.

Murphy is handed the left-wing berth to keep Simon Zebo on the bench for his first game since cracking a bone in his right foot against Edinburgh 12 weeks ago, while Earls starts on the right after missing the Ulster game with a bruised shoulder and Downey is reunited with Casey Laulala in midfield having recovered from a groin problem.

There is a boost in the forwards with experienced hooker Damien Varley passing fit to retain his place having limped out of the Ulster game with a foot injury. That means there are only two changes in the pack with BJ Botha at tighthead prop and Dave Foley getting the nod in the second row for his Heineken Cup debut. Foley’s inclusion follows Donncha O’Callaghan’s injury last week, with the veteran lock is named among the replacements.

Another Irishman making his Heineken Cup debut at Kingsholm tonight will be Gloucester wing Shane Monahan, one of a number of changes to the hosts following a heavy league loss by Saracens on Saturday.

Former Leinster academy and Connacht back Monahan forms a back three with England’s Charlie Sharples and full-back Martyn Thomas as Jonny May switches from the wing to outside centre and Dan Robson replaces former All Black Jimmy Cowan at scrum-half. Despite a through demolition at the scrum, Gloucester have retained tighthead prop Sila Puafisi, with Yann Thomas in at loosehead and Darren Dawidiuk replacing Huia Edwards at hooker while Gareth Evans goes in at No.8 with England’s Ben Morgan not fully recovered from a chest injury suffered last weekend and named on the bench.

Sensing the need to inject some fresh intensity to a side low on confidence, director of rugby Nigel Davies last night was due to bring in former Gloucester stalwart Mike Teague to present the famous cherry and white jerseys.

“We’ve looked to do things differently. It’s no secret that we didn’t respect the jersey or environment last week,” Davies said. “Mike Teague is coming in to say a few words to the boys and present the jerseys and that will add gravity to the situation. We’re also coming into the ground as a bus together. It’s make or break in terms of Europe.”