O'Connell under no pressure to return

Wed, Sep 5, 2012, 01:00

   

Rugby:Stephen Archer and Dave O'Callaghan will make their first starts of the season as Munster bid to notch their second win of the campaign when they take on Treviso at Thomond Park on Friday night. The changes see BJ Botha and Paddy Butler drop to the bench as Penney prepares for his first match in charge at Thomond Park following their impressive 23-18 win in Edinburgh.

But there is growing concern about Paul O’Connell being available for the clash with Ulster next week. Doubts have emerged over the comeback date for the former skipper after he missed was unable to take a full part in training today.

He managed some light rehab work with the Munster physios, but Penney is putting no pressure on O'Connell to return for the Ulster game. “Don't know, we don't know. He'll be ready when he is ready,” said Penney. “He is under no pressure and we are under no pressure to get him right. He is just going to let us know when he is ready to go and we'll react to that.”

Munster:D Hurley; D Howlett, C Laulala, J Downey, L O’Dea; I Keatley, D Williams; W du Preez, D Varley, S Archer; Donncha O’Callaghan, B Holland; Dave O'Callaghan, S Dougall, J Coughlan. Replacements:M Sherry, D Kilcoyne, BJ Botha, D Foley, P Butler, P Stringer, S Deasy, I Dineen.

Rabo Pro 12

Team P W D L F A BP Pts
Ulster 22 17 1 4 577 348 11 81
Leinster 22 17 0 5 585 386 10 78
Glasgow 22 16 0 6 541 324 12 76
Scarlets 22 15 0 7 436 406 6 66
Ospreys 22 14 1 7 471 342 4 62
Munster 22 11 1 10 442 384 8 54
Treviso 22 10 2 10 414 450 6 51
Connacht 22 8 1 13 358 422 4 38
Cardiff 21 8 0 13 335 450 6 38
Edinburgh 22 7 0 15 499 504 8 36
Dragons 22 6 0 16 358 589 4 28
Zebre 22 0 0 22 288 573 10 10