PAT LAM SUCCESSFULLY juggled an injury-depleted Connacht squad last season to eventually win the province’s first Pro12 title and little has changed ahead of the start of the upcoming campaign.
Connacht are missing a number of key players, including Quinn Roux, Nathan White, Jake Heenan, Sean O’Brien, Eoghan Masterson, John Cooney and Craig Ronaldson ahead of their season opener, at home to Glasgow Warriors on Saturday (17.15).
Lam is looking light on options in the pack, particularly in the second row, with Ireland international Roux (hip, 2-3 weeks return time), Andrew Browne (thigh, 2-3 weeks) and Ben Marshall (head, unknown) missing this weekend and a further three Academy locks also unavailable through injury.
Prop White is continuing his recovery from concussion suffered last season, Academy prop Conan O’Donnell is nearing a return from a foot injury and new signing Conor Carey (shoulder) is expected to be available next week.
In the back row, Heenan (hand, eight weeks) and O’Brien (ankle, eight weeks) are working towards a return while Masterson (knee) is expected back in December.
Out-half Ronaldson (thigh) is trying to overcome a pre-season injury and is expected to be available for selection in the next couple of weeks.
Fullback/wing Darragh Leader is one of Lam’s longer-term absentees; he isn’t expected to be available until February after undergoing hand surgery.
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Connacht to tear up the rulebook with a two score win!
A great season but this will be one step too far.
Leinster’s frontrow and front row subs will just be too strong. Added to sexton’s current form and Connacht’s biggest strengths ( their centres mainly bundee Aki coming up against Teo and Ringrose ) this will be a fairly even battle and nullify each other.
Leinster by 7
Hopefully so. Nervous about this one…
Red thumbers are out in force.
Chris, Spot on! Sexton to steady the ship and see us though. If we win, some recognition that Leinster are the top province is more than jusitified.
It might me cool if the 42 did a straw poll to see who would make a combined starting fifteenth of Connacht and Leinster
from the two teams that will be announced, Would be interested to see what the majority think.
Also would be cool to do a league version too, that would be some team, people underestimate this league.
If the majority took the poll it wouldn’t have any Leinster players. Not on merit, but just because.
Tom my side would be
1. McGrath 2. Cronin 3. Ross
4. Toner 5. Muldoon
6. Ruddock ,7 Murphy 8. Heaslip
9. Marmion 10. Sexton
11 Healy 12 Aki 13 Teo 14 Isa
15 henshaw
Sorry change that Ultan D in secondrow. Excuse the brain fart
Cronin over Tom McCartney? Jordi Murphy over Jake Heenan? Rhys Ruddock over Muldoon? Ahhhhh heeeeyyyooorrrr… I like your backline though!
Beat me to it Liam. Swap those three and it looks alright. I’d take Heenan or McKeon over Murphy any day.
Great analysis piece