Ireland international Alan Quinlan will make his return after a shoulder injury in the World Cup for Munster's trip to Cardiff Blues in the Celtic League on Friday night.

Munster coach Alan Gaffney has decided to leave out eleven of his first choice players for their Celtic League meeting with Edinburgh at Musgrave Park on Friday evening.

Shaun Payne is the only surprise choice in the Munster side to meet Franch champions Stade Francais in the Heineken Cup quarter final at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Mossie Lawlor and Eddie Halvey were the big losers as Alan Gaffney reduced his Munster squad from 24 to 22.

Alan Gaffney has left Christian Cullen at home with a minor back injury ahead of their Celtic League tie with Glasgow at Hughenden on Friday.

Munster coach Alan Gaffney has selected the fit-again Marcus Horan and included the inexperienced Conrad O'Sullivan and Frank Murphy at half-back for the Celtic League date with the Gwent Dragons.

Tom Hayes, the younger brother of Ireland prop John, will step into Munster's second row for the injured Trevor Hogan in Friday's Celtic League tie with Ulster at Ravenhill.

All Black record try-scorer Christian Cullen will make his debut for Munster against the Neath/Swansea Ospreys in the Celtic League at Musgrave Park on Friday.

Anthony Horgan is the only change in Alan Gaffney's Munster side to face Llanelli in Stradey Park on Friday evening.

Munster will be hot favourites to scalp Leinster, given the strength of their selection, in the Celtic League at Musgrave Park on Friday.

Alan Gaffney has decided to use Rob Henderson, Anthony Horgan and David Wallace in his Munster side to meet The Borders at Musgrave Park tomorrow evening.

Munster have been hit with the loss of full back to Shaun Payne, due to a knee injury, picked up against Treviso for the pool decider against Bourgoin in Limerick on Saturday.

Irish international Marcus Horan will replace Gordon McIlwham at loose-head in the only alteration to the Munster side to meet Bourgoin at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Frankie Sheahan, try-scoring Heineken Cup man-of-the-match in Saturday’s heroic 35-14 defeat of Gloucester, has been withdrawn from the Munster side to face Treviso tomorrow evening at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo, due to a knee complaint.

Coach Alan Gaffney has shown that he is not underestimating Treviso by selecting the strongest available Munster side for the trip to Italy on Saturday.

Tight head John Hayes returns to the Munster side for their Heineken Cup showdown with Gloucester at Kingsholm on Saturday (5pm).

Rob Henderson will make his first start for Munster since tearing a muscle in his bicep in early September in their Heineken Cup tussle with Benetton Treviso at Thomond Park on Saturday.

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney yesterday announced a 25 strong Munster squad from which the team to play Benetton Treviso in the Heineken European Cup at Thomond Park on Saturday will be picked tomorrow.

Alan Gaffney has named a 25-man squad, adding Anthony Horgan, Eddie Halvey and Colm McMahon, to last week's 22 as Munster prepare to entertain Treviso in the Heineken Cup at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Ireland's John Kelly replaces Mossie Lawlor on the wing in the only change to Alan Gaffney's side for their first foray into the Heineken Cup at Bourgoin on Saturday.

AFTER years of winning matches almost as they liked, it has suddenly become something of a struggle for the Munster team.

Neath Swansea Ospreys 33 Munster26

NS Ospreys 33 Munster 26

Former ACT Brumbies second row Dave Pusey will make his competitive debut for Munster, just ten days after arriving in Ireland, against the Neath-Swansea Ospreys in the Celtic League on Saturday.