Munster coach Alan Gaffney may finally have back one of last season's most impressive second row players, Donncha O'Callaghan, for Sunday's European Cup game away to Neath-Swansea Ospreys.

The international, who injured a calf muscle before being replaced by Trevor Hogan prior to the team's game against Llanelli over two weeks ago, is again available for selection with Gaffney also being buoyed by the news that Shaun Payne, the recipient of a late tackle a fortnight ago in his side's game against Cardiff, is also likely to be available.

O'Callaghan has not been able to team up with Paul O'Connell in the Munster second row since April of this year and his presence should please all for what is likely to be a difficult away fixture following last Saturday's narrow win over NEC Harlequins.

Indeed, the 16 players used by Gaffney suffered little in the terrible conditions, just the "usual bumps and bruises that you expect in an encounter of such intensity," according to the coach.

Despite the Ospreys losing 38-17 at Castres Olympique, Munster will take a cautious approach to the encounter in front of what will be a sell-out 10,300 crowd.

"You only have to look at the results in the Celtic League to see how the Welsh sides are improving. With the Celtic Warriors going out of existence, and their players being divided among the remaining four regions, the squads have become much stronger," said O'Callaghan.

"You need to have strength in depth to succeed in the Heineken Cup. You have to be able to cover injuries and be able to hurt teams off your bench. The Welsh sides will have international players among their replacements and will be far stronger than they have been in recent years."

In Leinster, coach Declan Kidney will have Irish full back Girvan Dempsey back at his disposal, which will probably allow Denis Hickie to revert to his natural position on the wing. Gary Brown is likely to lose out. Eric Miller and Ben Gissing will also be pushing for places when the team is announced today. Ulster will also announce their side to face Gloucester today.

Connacht will have Paul Warwick back in contention for the second leg of their Parker Pen Challenge Cup match, where they need a good win to qualify for the next round.

Like Dempsey, Warwick was also hit with a stomach bug and had to withdraw from the game against Narbonne, Eric Elwood stepping in. John O'Sullivan and Conor McPhilips are also likely to be available.