PAUL O’CONNELL makes his long awaited return when he leads Munster against Connacht in the Celtic League at Thomond Park this evening, kick-off 7.35pm.

Ireland's Paul O'Connell has been included in the Munster squad for the first time since September for Tuesday's Celtic League assignment against Connacht at Thomond Park.

Shaun Payne, Rob Henderson and Frederico Pucciariello have been included in an extended 27-man Munster squad for the Heineken Cup date with Gwent Dragons at Thomond Park this weekend.

IF Mossie Lawlor makes a decent contribution to Munster’s Heineken Cup challenge at Rodney Parade today (1pm), Declan Kidney will send a message of thanks to Shannon.

SHAUN PAYNE has failed to recover from the viral influenza that caused him to miss last week’s Celtic League tie against Ulster and is out of the Munster team to play the Gwent Dragons in the Heineken Cup at Rodney Parade tomorrow (1pm).

JEREMY Manning, Munster’s highly promising New Zealander, is handed an opportunity of establishing himself as a regular in the side with his selection at full-back for tonight’s (7.10pm) eagerly awaited Celtic League clash with Ulster at Musgrave Park.

Munster finalised their starting line-up this afternoon ahead of their Celtic League clash with Cardiff Blues this evening.

Munster coach Declan Kidney has left three openings for players to prove their fitness ahead of the Celtic League tie away to Cardiff on Friday evening.

David Wallace have been released to Munster for their Celtic League date with Cardiff at The Arms Park on Friday.

THE opening Heineken Cup defeat to Sale has Munster on the back foot ahead of today’s must-win clash with Castres — something the players are acutely aware of, full-back Shaun Payne tells Declan Colley.

Munster have named a 27 strong squad, from which the side to play Castres Olympique, will be selected.

Munster's Tomas O'Leary and Barry Murphy have held off the challenge of fast-healing Peter Stringer and Rob Henderson to make their Heineken Cup debuts away to Sale Sharks this Friday.

THE Munster Branch of the IRFU has finalised its purchase of a ten-acre greenfield site on the Dublin Road side of Limerick city, adding to fears for the future of the famed Thomond Park.

THANK God I’m not a dedicated soccer supporter. Like most Irishmen, I follow a wide range of sports and would have a particular interest when the national team (regardless of the code) is playing.

Munster 33 Leinster 9

WITH one eye on the Heineken Cup, Munster coach Declan Kidney stays in experimental mode by including all of his three new outside signings for the Celtic League derby with Leinster at Musgrave Park tomorrow (3pm).

ANTHON PITOUT, Munster’s latest overseas signing, chose the province ahead of Toulouse, a decision that did not go down well in the south of France.

Peter Stringer will be the main casualty from Munster's preparation for Leinster's visit to Musgrave Park on Sunday.

MUNSTER have suffered another major Heineken Cup blow, with Peter Stringer ruled for four weeks with a knee ligament injury.

Munster had to fend off strong interest from Toulouse for the signature of South African Anthon Pitout as part of their Heineken Cup squad.

Munster have included former great Britain Rugby League star Gary Connolly and Anthon Pitout in their Heineken Cup squad ahead of the September 29 registration deadline.