Bonus point for table-toppers but at what cost?

Munster 36 Zebre 8

A bonus-point victory at Musgrave Park on Saturday night over perennial league strugglers Zebre saw Munster leapfrog arch-rivals Leinster at the top of the table but the head coach’s satisfaction will have been tempered by a serious-looking knee injury to flanker Dave O’Callaghan and another strain on his hooking resources.

With Mike Sherry out since November and looking set to miss the rest of the season, Damien Varley still on the sidelines with a delayed concussion and Niall Scannell ruled out for eight weeks last Tuesday after hyper-extending an elbow in training, Penney had gone to the AIL clubs for reinforcements, calling Ger Slattery from Young Munster and UL Bohemians’ Kevin O’Byrne into the squad as cover for Casey, the last hooker standing and making just his seventh appearance for Munster on Saturday.