Rugby:Both Rob Penney and Mark Anscombe have arrived in Ireland to oversee the pre-season preparations in both Munster and Ulster.
The two new coaches, who were appointed at the end of last season, have taken over in Cork and Belfast respectively. New Zealander Anscombe replaces Brian McLaughlin, who took Ulster to the Heineken Cup final last season, while the former Canterbury Crusaders coach comes in for Tony McGahan.
According to the Limerick Leader newspaper Penney will be based in Cork along with assistant Simon Mannix. Both teams have a series of friendly matches before the Rabo Direct League begins in September.
Anscombe’s side will face Leicester Tigers in Ravenhill on August 18th and Newcastle Falcons a week later. Penney’s first taste of competitive rugby with Munster kicks off on August 10th in France, where they play Stade Rochelais, then Bristol in Musgrave Park and finally London Irish, again in Cork.
Both Penney and Mannix took their first training session in Limerick earlier this week and yesterday along with manager Niall O'Donovan gave their first press conference. O'Donovan has taken over the managerial position from Shaun Payne. Anscombe has been with the Ulster squad for several weeks.
