Penney prepared for Perpignan ambush

Despite beating Perpignan convincingly last weekend, Munster boss Rob Penney is not underestimating the Top 14 side.

Despite beating Perpignan convincingly last weekend, Munster boss Rob Penney is not underestimating the Top 14 side ahead of Saturday's rematch.

Penney charges claimed a a bonus-point 36-8 win over the Catalan side at Thomond Park but Penney is expecting Perpignan to provide a much sterner test at the Stade Aime Giral.

“Yes, very much so,” he told Munster's official website when asked whether the French side would mount a bigger challenge at home.

“They're steaming I think.

“They're alluding to a few things apparently about the refereeing and so forth.

“I think they're throwing some distractions and red herrings out there and trying to take away from the disappointment of the outcome so, to that end, they'll be trying to ambush us.”

Penney highlighted his side's defensive frailties and their set-piece as areas that need improvement but insisted that his charges are still confident of securing victory.

“We're going into this game with a pretty positive mindset,” he said.

“There is certainly the ability in the group to go up another level and that will be the challenge because we're going to need to [this weekend].”

First-choice scrum-half Conor Murray will not be in action after injuring knee ligaments on Sunday with Cathal Sheridan, who impressed in the hour he played at the weekend, or Duncan Williams set to replace the Ireland and Lions number nine.

Penney said is happy playing either back-up scrum-half in Perpignan and praised the progress made by Sheridan.

“He's been developed well by the Munster organisation,” added Penney.

“He is someone that has come in and been given an opportunity and he's been given a lot of help but you make your own luck to a degree.

“He's had an opportunity and he's proved that he's worthy. It's great reward for him and it's great reward for the people who have put the work in behind the scenes to get him to that level and we're equally as comfortable with Duncan[Williams].

“We've got two worthy nines there and it's going to be a tough old day at the office for those guys in particular, but we're sure they'll do a great job.”