Penney talks up Zebo, but remains quiet on leaving Munster

Rob Penney may wish to stay silent about his decision to leave Munster at the end of the season and any thoughts on his successor but he could not have been more vocal about his wish to let Simon Zebo stay true to his own exuberant self.

For the second time in a week, the New Zealander declined the opportunity to explain his decision to turn down a one-year contract extension in favour of a longer-term deal with a Japanese club. Asked yesterday why he did not want to talk about it, Penney replied tersely: “It’s my business. Thanks.”

And regarding the credentials of Anthony Foley, the odds-on favourite to succeed him, Penney was asked whether his forwards coach was ready for a head coaching role. “I don’t want to make any comments around that stuff,” came the response.