Elwood Expecting Physical Encounter With Ospreys

Following their intensely physical Heineken Cup pool match against Harlequins, Connacht are looking at an extended list of fresh injury concerns.

In the backs, Robbie Henshaw, Tiernan O’Halloran and Mata Fifita as well as the centre pairingof Eoin Griffin and David McSharry all picked up knocks during the home defeat to Harlequins.

Similarly, up front, Mike McCarthy and Adrian Flavin are also nursing injuries from the bruising Pool 3 tie.

Centre Danie Poolman will train with the province’s squad tomorrow ahead of next Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 game against reigning champions, the Ospreys.

The 23-year-old South African returned from a week in Germany where he underwent intensive treatment on his hamstring.

Meanwhile, Andrew Browne, Gavin Duffy, Matt Healy, Mark McCrea, Paul O’Donohoe, Ethienne Reynecke and Kyle Tonetti still remain unavailable for selection due to injury.

Head coach Eric Elwood said: “It’s been a busy fortnight with two Connacht teams competing in Europe – the Heineken and British & Irish Cup – and with this our ninth consecutive match weekend there is obviously a big demand on our squad and we are looking at some injuries.

“But it’s back to RaboDirect PRO12 duty this week, and we’re very much looking forward to the Ospreys game.

“Over the years, we’ve had huge physical encounters with the Ospreys and we’ll be expecting the same this weekend.”