O’Callaghan and Payne out as Gaffney ponders options

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.

O’Callaghan is troubled by a calf injury and will be rested for another week while Payne picked up a knock against the Cardiff Blues last Saturday is also sidelined.

Coach Alan Gaffney yesterday announced a squad of 26 that includes two second-row options in place of O’Callaghan - Trevor Hogan and Australian Tom Bowman. It is an indication of the strides Hogan has made since the season began that he is now favourite to pack down beside Paul O’Connell.