The addition of an Ireland 'A' fixture has added a little extra spice to this weekend’s URC action with a number of fringe players looking to impress.
Munster attack coach Mike Prendergast will have a busy few days as he prepares his side to take on Scarlets in Limerick on Saturday (5.15pm, live on RTÉ).
Prendergast, who joined the Ireland coaching staff in Portugal prior to the Guinness Six Nations, will lead the 'A' squad and have the job of reviewing Leinster’s trip to Ospreys, Ulster’s clash with Benetton and Connacht versus Cardiff to see who has put their hand up to take on England ‘A’ at Ashton Gate on 23 February.
Called up to the Ireland training panel in the autumn of 2022, Scott Penny didn’t make the breakthrough but the Leinster flanker is among the contenders for the trip to Bristol.
However, that’s doesn’t mean he has any intention of making tomorrow’s game in Swansea about him.
The 25-year-old, who will make his 79th Leinster appearance, reckons the best route is making the team look good.
"It’s about doing the basics well, so when you get your opportunities in the game to carry, tackle, hit rucks hard, as a back row in particular, that’s what you’ve got to thrive on, doing those basics well," he told RTÉ Sport.
"You don’t want to be greedy and push people away from the ball or whatever or mess up an attacking shape, but when you get an opportunity to impact the game, that you impact it well."
Penny, who was part of the 2019 Under-20 Grand Slam-winning side, is operating in one of the most competitive areas for a squad place.
Ulster’s Cormac Izuchukwu and James McNabney, Connacht’s Cian Prendergast, and Munster’s Tom Ahern are all part of Simon Easterby’s wider squad looking to break into a back row packed with world-class operators, including many of Penny’s Leinster team-mates.
"Obviously, I want to be there myself, along with the rest of the lads who aren’t in there at the moment," added Penny, who is also in competition with Alex Soroka, Max Deegan, Will Connors and James Culhane for game time at Leinster.
"You watch [the Six Nations] as a fan as well. We are all Irish, we want to see the team do well. They are team-mates, we want them to do well.
"It can be tough watching but at the end of the day you can’t let it frustrate you, you want to see the lads do well."
Connacht tighthead prop Jack Aungier was called up to the Ireland squad when Tadhg Furlong pulled out with a hamstring strain and the 26-year-old is line for an outing.
"What Jack Aungier has shown is continual development," said Connacht boss Pete Wilkins.
"He came from Leinster being highly thought of. He moved across to us for more opportunity. He’s shown he’s a very capable understudy for Finlay [Bealham].
"Jack’s earned his stripes and made an impression up there [in Ireland camp]."
Munster loosehead prop Josh Wycherley, who has just overcome a neck injury and signed a new two-year extension with the club, is also looking to kick on.
"It’s great to see how they have been going over the last couple of weeks" he said.
"You watch these games and try to pick out bits and pieces that you could add to your own game."
The 25-year-old knows the first step is making a solid comeback on Saturday.
"Scarlets have been very good away from home and they’re only losing by very small margins," said the Cork man.
"We know that they're coming to take us on set-piece wise and they've got some real individual talent there as well.
"I think from a personal point of view, and from a forward point of view, it'll be very much set-piece focus. And I’m going to enjoy it because it has been a while."
The Ireland 'A' squad will be named on Sunday.
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Watch Munster v Scarlets in the URC on Saturday from 4.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
