Alan Gaffney will have to do without Paul O’Connell - suspended for two weeks for punching Robert Sidoli - and Trevor Hogan has been given the nod ahead of Australian international Tom Bowman to partner Donncha O’Callaghan against Llanelli at Rodney Parade on Friday evening.

Scrum-half Frank Murphy will make his first start this season in Munster's away date at Connacht on Fiday night.

INJURY-HIT Cardiff still hope to spring a Celtic League surprise on Munster at the Arms Park this evening (5.30).

IRELAND captain Brian O’Driscoll and centre partner Gordon D’Arcy will both be fit and available for the Six Nations match against France at Lansdowne Road on Saturday week.

Backs Shaun Payne, Rob Henderson, Mike Prendergast and forwards Tom Bowman and Stephen Keogh all come in to the Munster side to meet Cardiff Blues at The Arms Park on Saturday.

THE death has taken place of former Sarsfields stalwart Tom Bowman.

Ireland international John Kelly will make his first start since October when he lines out for Munster against Glasgow on Sunday.

JOHN KELLY returns to competitive rugby this afternoon when he lines out for Cork Constitution in the All-Ireland League Division One tie against Dublin University at College Park (2.30).

Munster 13 Neath-Swansea Ospreys 9

CORK CONSTITUTION and Munster have been given a timely boost with the return from injury of David Pusey.

Ireland's Ronan O'Gara will take over the captaincy from the absent Anthony Foley as Munster bid to close the gap on leaders The Ospreys at Musgrave Park on Saturday evening (8.05pm).

Munster coach Alan Gaffney has chosen to list a 26-man squad for the top-of-the-table clash with Neath-Swansea Ospreys at Musgrave Park on Saturday evening.

Munster 45 Borders 8

Munster 25 Gwent Dragons 16

DAVID WALLACE has been moved to open side flanker for Munster’s Celtic League clash with Newport-Gwent Dragons at Musgrave Park tomorrow (8.05).

Hooker James Blaney will make his first start of the season in a Munster side that shows five changes in personnel for the visit of The Gwent Dragons to Musgrave Park on Saturday evening.

IMAGINE Cork Con without spiritual leaders and back-row warriors Ultan O’Callaghan and Jerry Murray.

Munster coach Alan Gaffney has decided to leave Shaune Payne and Donncha O'Callaghan out of an extended 26-man squad for their Heineken Cup encounter with Harlequins at Thomond Park on Saturday.

DONNCHA O’Callaghan and Shaun Payne are out of the Munster team to meet Harlequins in the opening match of the Heineken European Cup at Thomond Park on Saturday.

HARLEQUINS, Munster’s Heineken Cup opponents next Saturday, claimed to have signed South African international second row Geo Cronje yesterday, but last night Blue Bulls chief executive Stephan Pretorius disputed the signing, claiming Cronje’s contract with the Bulls was still valid.

Anthony Foley has been selected to captain the Munster squad for this season's Heineken Cup campaign.

MUNSTER will unveil latest signing Tom Bowman in tonight’s Celtic League clash with Connacht at Musgrave Park (8pm).

ALAN GAFFNEY has shouldered part of the responsibility for Munster’s poor Celtic League opening but believes his side can set the record straight against Connacht at Thomond Park on Saturday.

WALLABY international Tom Bowman is set to sign for Munster today after undergoing a medical.

Munster have signed ex-Australian second-row Tom Bowman before the Celtic League deadline.

MUNSTER have stepped up their bid to sign former Australian international second-row Tom Bowman.

Munster are close to signing former Australian international Tom Bowman, writes Mark Woods in today's Evening Echo newspaper.

Worcester’s bid to join the Zurich Premiership in England has hit a snag after the Rugby Football Union delayed a decision on whether they were eligible for promotion due to a threat of legal action.

WHEN one reflects on 2003 most people’s thoughts and images focus on the Rugby World Cup.

Australia have suffered an injury scare ahead of Saturday’s first Test against the Lions in Brisbane.

Andy Robinson today defended the Lions from stinging criticism fired by Wallabies coach Rod Macqueen and New South Wales boss Bob Dwyer.

Graham Henry can expect an Australian Rugby Union apology following a beer-spraying incident after the Lions’ tour opener against Western Australia in Perth.

Australia have announced a 24-man Australia A squad to play the Lions in the Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series match at Gosford on June 19.