Penney forced to delay selection

MUNSTER WILL be without number eight James Coughlan and wing Luke O’Dea, both of whom were injured during the province’s 20-19 defeat to Ulster at Ravenhill for Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 game against the Newport Gwent Dragons at Thomond Park.

Coughlan damaged his groin in the build-up to Keith Earls’ try last Friday night. He will see a specialist today to ascertain the extent of the damage. O’Dea twisted his ankle in a tackle and hobbled off and he could be sidelined for a fortnight.

In the light of those injuries, Denis Hurley’s throat infection, Ivan’s Dineen’s stomach cramps and the onus on selecting a Munster team for an A match against Connacht at Garryowen tomorrow evening (5pm), coach Rob Penney will delay naming the team for the Dragons match; it’s likely to be confirmed tomorrow.

Earls made a try scoring return for the province from the bench and he’s likely to start on Saturday, while Simon Zebo is available for selection. Niall Ronan came through an A match against Ulster without any issues relating to the knee injury that kept him sidelined for half a season.

Coughlan’s absence would be filled by Paddy Butler while Penney may choose to rotate his frontrow options. Ireland internationals Peter O’Mahony and Donnacha Ryan have been back in training but may wait for another week before making their seasonal bow. Paul O’Connell continues to rehabilitate his back problem but there is no date mooted for a return.

Prop John Ryan returned from his successful stint with London Irish and resumed training yesterday with a view to being involved in the A interprovincial tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Connacht’s Cork-born scrumhalf Frank Murphy suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury that will rule him out for six to eight months. The 30-year-old will undergo surgery in the next couple of weeks before facing into a long rehabilitation process.

His injury follows the hamstring damage that will see Paul O’Donohue sidelined for another eight weeks. It means that Connacht are a little short at scrumhalf, relying on Ireland Under-20 international Kieran Marmion and David Moore.

Coach, Eric Elwood admitted: “With Frank’s injury it is our job now to keep up-skilling our two young nines and make sure they are ready. But they are two good lads and two good scholars of the game. Kieran has been terrific and we have great faith in himself and Dave Moore. Paul O’Donohoe is going to be out for another eight or nine weeks with his hamstring injury.”