Penney ‘close’ to penning new deal with Munster

Rob Penney looks certain to remain as Munster head coach for at least another season.

The New Zealander has been locked in talks with provincial chiefs for a number of weeks about extending his stay after his two-year deal ends in May. Penney joined Munster from Canterbury in 2012, succeeding Australian Tony McGahan.

When quizzed on the matter yesterday Penney replied: “We’re close. Everything hasn’t been finalised yet. Things are progressing.” However, the situation pertaining to assistant coaches Simon Mannix and Anthony Foley has not been finalised.

Munster had last week off but were back in business in recent days as they participated in what Penney termed a “mini-camp” in Limerick. Wing-forward Sean Dougall, scrum-half Cathal Sheridan and winger Luke O’Dea took a full part while Ireland second-row Donnacha Ryan put in a rigorous half hour stint on his own to the delight of his coach.

“He’s making wonderful progress and, hopefully, by the middle of this block of four he should be right back into consideration for selection” said Penney, referring to the forthcoming matches against Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park on Saturday next; Zebre, Ospreys and Scarlets. “He may have had one game by the time the Ireland-England game comes around on February 22nd. It just depends on when he’s released back to us from the medical team. If you watched him today, he’s in pretty good fettle. We’ve been managing his workload contact wise and what he’s done around the collisions although he’s done a good bit of that.

“All being equal, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be in consideration for Zebre at Musgrave Park on Saturday week. That, potentially, puts him in the frame for England if the Irish lads need him.”

Penney kept a close eye on the Six Nations matches at the weekend, conscious that high-profile members of his Munster squad like Simon Zebo and David Kilcoyne were not involved with Ireland.

“It is important for multiple reasons that they should be there,” he stated. “One is the selfish undertone of each individual player needing to perform well to try and open that door into the Irish environment. I’m always disappointed when lads don’t get in at that level. There’s nothing they can do at this present point in time to influence selections. It’s the 80 minutes on the pitch that means the most.”

Penney’s concentration is now on Saturday’s Rabo PRO 12 clash with Cardiff Blues (7.15pm). Apart from the Irish contingent, the list of absentees include Damien Varley (suffering from delayed concussion), Paddy Butler, Ivan Dineen and Keith Earls.