Staunton ruled out for six weeks

Celtic League News: Jeremy Staunton is out of the Munster squad for six weeks after undergoing a groin operation on Monday. His omission marks a number of changes to Alan Gaffney's side to face Leinster in Musgrave Park tomorrow night.

Shaun Payne returns at full back while John Kelly comes on to the wing for Anthony Horgan, who is tied up with the Irish's squad's preparation for Saturday's match against France in the Six Nations Championship.

Eddie Halvey starts at openside flanker after David Wallace was injured in an Irish squad session while Jason Jones-Hughes comes in to partner Rob Henderson in the centre for the injured Mike Mullins, who fractured his jaw during an Irish squad session.

Mullins, who may undergo an operation today, is ruled out of a possible return to Eddie O'Sullivan's squad for the championship. He is, however, likely to be back in time for Munster's quarter-final European Cup game against Stade Francais in April.

Gaffney has called nine players to the replacements with Jerry Flannery and Frank Roche included as cover for hooker James Blaney, who also took a knock during the week.

MUNSTER (V Leinster): S Payne; J Kelly, J Jones-Hughes, R Henderson, M Lawlor; J Holland, E Reddan; S Kerr, J Blaney, G McIlwham, T Hogan, D Pusey, J Williams, E Halvey, S Keogh. Replacements: from D Crotty, M McPhail, C O'Sullivan, F Murphy, P Malone, T Hayes, D Sheahan, J Flannery, F Roche.