Howlett ruled out of Munster’s trip to The Stoop

Munster captain Doug Howlett has been ruled out of Sunday's Heineken Cup quarter-final at Harlequins with a shoulder injury. Howlett's absence has been partly offset by the return of Simon Zebo to the starting XV on the opposite wing but the former All Black will be keenly missed at The Stoop (2pm).

Howlett was injured due in the act of scoring a try during the heavy defeat in Glasgow last Friday and the winger will be replaced by Denis Hurley.

Zebo hasn't played since breaking a bone in his foot during the Six Nations but proved his fitness during training this week and makes the trip to London.

In all, Munster coach Rob Penney makes five changes from the side that collapsed at Scotsoun with Ireland internationals Conor Murray, Peter O'Mahony and Donnacha Ryan all back in the front line.

Harlequins: M Brown; T Williams, G Lowe, T Casson, U Monye; N Evans, D Care; J Marler, R Buchanan, J Johnston; O Kohn, G Robson; M Fa'asavalu, C Robshaw, N Easter. Replacements: J Gray, M Lambert, W Collier, C Matthews, T Guest, K Dickson, B Botica, M Hopper.

Munster: F Jones; D Hurley, C Laulala, J Downey, S Zebo; R O'Gara, C Murray; D Kilcoyne , M Sherry BJ Botha; D Ryan, P O'Connell capt; P O'Mahony, T O'Donnell , J Coughlan. Replacements: D Varley W du Preez, S Archer, Donncha O'Callaghan, P Butler, C Sheridan, I Keatley, I Dineen.