Injuries Hamper Connacht Ahead Of Newport Trip
After a three-week break in games and the excitement of the RBS 6 Nations Championship, it is back to PRO12 business this week for Connacht.
Connacht will travel to Rodney Parade this Sunday (kick-off 3.05pm), looking for their fourth successive win in the league and the chance to climb the league table.
Two bonus point wins over Italian sides Zebre and Benetton Treviso, allied to the home victory over Edinburgh last month, has moved Pat Lam’s men up to ninth place in the standings.
The westerners’ squad trained at the Sportsground today ahead of the trip to Wales this weekend.
Paul O’Donohoe (back), Craig Ronaldson (groin), Brett Wilkinson (neck) and James Rael (quad) all remain unavailable for selection this week.
During the break, there were also a number of players involved with the Connacht Eagles as well as in club games around the country.
Loose forward George Naoupu suffered rib cartilage damage playing for the Eagles against Munster ‘A’ in Limerick and will be unavailable for PRO12 duty this week.
Also starting that game was flanker Conor Gilsenan. The 21-year-old injured his leg in the first half but has returned to training this week. The coaching staff will be looking for more game-time for him ahead of a senior call-up.
Prop Ronan Loughney – on his return from injury – came through the Eagles game without any problems and will be available to for Sunday’s clash with the Dragons.
Following last Friday’s Ulster Bank League derby between Corinthians and Buccaneers, Aaron Conneely (hamstring) and Conor Kindregan (ankle) both featured on the casualty list at Dubarry Park. The two players will be sidelined for four to five weeks.
Connacht also welcomed back Robbie Henshaw who celebrated the RBS 6 Nations success with Ireland in France over the weekend. The 20-year-old back is available to play against the Dragons.