Payne named Celtic League player of the month

Munster full back Shaun Payne received a boost to his preparations for the Celtic Cup final when he was named the Guinness Draught Can Celtic League Player of the Month for April.

The Munster Number 15 has put in outstanding performances for his province in the closing stages of the League and the Celtic Cup knock-out phase, not least when dispatching Leinster at Lansdowne Road last Sunday.

Payne hopes to line out again at Lansdowne Road on Saturday to face Llanelli Scarlets in the Celtic Cup decider.