Rob Penney insists his rebranded Munster side is beginning to show signs of encouragement as they return to RaboDirect PRO12 action against Zebre on Friday.

Before the European break, Munster lost their last two RaboDirect PRO12 matches – to Ospreys and to Leinster – but after a narrow away defeat to Racing Metro, Penney’s side thrashed Edinburgh 33-0 last time out.

With a host of players either moving on or calling time on their careers as well as Penney replacing Tony McGahan in the hot-seat, a season of transition always seemed on the cards.

But with Munster currently fifth in the RaboDirect PRO12 table and having won all three of their home matches this season, Penney believes his side can continue their upward curve, starting against a Zebre side still awaiting a first victory in their inaugural season.

“There's light at the end of the tunnel and given another few months of this understanding, of us working together and having faith in each other, we'll be a better side and we'll continue to be a better side,” Penney told the Irish Independent.

“I’ve explained to the lads when you are going through anything new as an athlete you end up in a dark place.

“It’s a horrible place to be because it's so easy to go back and rely on what you used to be familiar with.

“But when you pop out of it the sun’s a lot brighter and you can actually far exceed anything you were able to do previously.”

Penney makes nine changes from the side that outclassed Edinburgh last time out with highly-rated 20-year-old centre JJ Hanrahan makeing his first senior start after coming off the bench against the Gunners.

He partners Casey Laulala in midfield while Donnacha Ryan moves from blindside to the second row as Paul O’Connell makes way.

Elsewhere, Felix Jones starts at full-back and Duncan Williams gets the nod at scrum-half while in the pack Stephen Archer comes in at tighthead, Peter O’Mahony switches to flanker and Paddy Butler wears the No.8 jersey.

Zebre make three changes to the back line that lost to Biarritz last time out in the Heineken Cup with Alberto Chiesa coming in at fly-half and Luca Martinelli is his half-back partner while David Odiete replaces Giovanbattista Venditti on the wing.

Young hooker Andrea Manici makes his first competitive start while Emiliano Caffini and Josh Sole comprise a new-look second row and Filippo Cristiano comes in at seven.

At Thomond Park, 7.45pm.
Referee: Neil Hennessy (WRU, 12th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher, David Connolly (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Tom McCormack (IRFU)
TMO: Jude Quinn (IRFU)

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