Penney paying attention only to Toulouse test

Thoughts of a potential Heineken Cup semi-final with Leinster can wait as far as Munster head coach Rob Penney is concerned, it is a first visit to Thomond Park by four-time champions Toulouse that will exercise his mind as European competition goes into the knockout stages.

Munster’s 38-6 hammering of Edinburgh yesterday brought the bonus-point victory Penney’s side required as Pool 6 winners to give them a home quarter-final come the first week in April. When Clermont Auvergne prop Vincent Debaty’s try against Racing Metro a couple of hours later sealed a similar outcome for his side it was enough to ensure competition heavyweights Toulouse would be making the trip to Limerick as fifth seeds on the weekend of April 4/5/6.

Ulster’s victory at Leicester on Saturday had already placed them as the top-seeded team with a home tie at Ravenhill against their quarter-final conquerors of last season Saracens, while the events of yesterday sent Leinster into the last eight as sixth seeds and facing a tough trip to third seeds Toulon.