Connacht Assess Injuries Ahead Of Cardiff Revenge Mission

JP Cooney has returned to training following his ankle injury in October, and fellow prop Dominic Robertson McCoy is continuing his rehabilitation from thumb surgery. He will be out of action until the end of the calendar year.

Summer signing Gavin Thornbury has reintegrated into full training following his calf injury against the Toyota Cheetahs last time out, while fellow lock Andrew Browne, who is sidelined until early 2018, is continuing his rehabilitation from Achilles surgery.

Kieran Keane’s back row options are boosted by the reintegration of Eoin McKeon (hamstring) and Jake Heenan (knee) into training this week, with ankle injury victim James Connolly also progressing well and due to return to training in the coming weeks.

Jarrad Butler, who has been one of Connacht’s best players during the early part of the season, is continuing his recovery from recent knee surgery and is due to return to training in early December. In addition, Sean O’Brien is recovering following shoulder surgery and will be out of action until early 2018.

In terms of the squad’s injury-hit backs, Eoin Griffin has returned to full training with the squad this week following his calf injury, while fellow centres Craig Ronaldson (calf) and Peter Robb, who underwent hip surgery recently, are looking at December returns.

Meanwhile, Rory Scholes had his appendix removed last week and will be out of action for a number of weeks. Stacey Ili is progressing well in his recovery from a recent shoulder injury – he will return to training in early December – and Cormac Brennan is targeting early 2018 following his shoulder surgery.