Hand Fracture Sidelines Henshaw For Six Weeks
Following the 18-12 derby win away to Munster and ahead of this week’s GUINNESS PRO12 round 9 fixture away to Cardiff Blues, the Connacht medical team have provided the following update.
Robbie Henshaw suffered a metacarpal fracture to his hand in the last play of the game against Munster. He is currently in Dublin for a surgeon review but is likely to be sidelined for up to six weeks.
Loosehead prop Denis Buckley sustained a high ankle sprain during the interprovincial derby. He is expected to be out of action for three weeks. Back rower Eoghan Masterson fractured his thumb on Saturday. He is also looking at three weeks on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed that openside flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua ruptured his ACL in the European Challenge Cup match against Brive this month. Surgery on the injury is planned for January and the New Zealander is facing six months of rehab.
Second row Andrew Browne continues to recover from the hand injury he sustained against Brive. He remains unavailable this week for Cardiff.
Rodney Ah You has returned from New Zealand following the funeral of his father, while fellow forward Quinn Roux is now fit and available for Friday night’s clash with Cardiff in the Welsh capital.
Eoin McKeon, Ben Marshall and Dave McSharry have all completed their return-to-play protocols following concussion, and are available to the coaching team this week.