THERE WAS GOOD news for Connacht Rugby as they returned to training ahead of Saturday afternoon’s home clash with Newport Gwent Dragons in round 13 of the RaboDirect Pro12.
The squad has been boosted with the recent return to fitness of Mata Fifita and Kyle Tonetti. Both will play with their respective clubs this weekend and are expected to be available for selection as the province looks to the Heineken Cup competition next week.
Out half Miah Nikora is also set to return soon after suffering a minor groin injury in the lead up to the game against Munster.
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Winger Fetu’u Vainikolo missed out on the last round of RaboDirect Pro12 action due to injury but is set to return to the fray this week.
There were a few knocks picked up during Saturday’s defeat to Leinster most notably to winger Matt Healy, who suffered a hand fracture and is expected to be out of action for three to four weeks.
While Dave McSharry and Michael Swift also picked up injuries at the RDS, they have both been given the all clear and returned to full training yesterday.
As the province face into a big month of games both in all competitions, Head Coach Eric Elwood looks ahead to the first game of 2013:
“This game against Dragons is a vitally important one for the club. We’re side by side at the bottom of the table so this is a huge game for both teams.
“Obviously, with us at home, the pressure is on us to win it. The key thing is that we learn from the mistakes of the last two derby matches that we’ve had.
“And the main focus for us this weekend is about getting everything right ourselves to secure the win.”
While Connacht achieved a double win over the men from Gwent last season, they were defeated 14-3 by the Dragons back in November.
The Dragons have visited the Galway Sportsground on nine previous occasions and won only once: 32-14 on 1 May 2004 on their first ever visit to the venue.
Connacht duo expected to return next weekend
THERE WAS GOOD news for Connacht Rugby as they returned to training ahead of Saturday afternoon’s home clash with Newport Gwent Dragons in round 13 of the RaboDirect Pro12.
The squad has been boosted with the recent return to fitness of Mata Fifita and Kyle Tonetti. Both will play with their respective clubs this weekend and are expected to be available for selection as the province looks to the Heineken Cup competition next week.
Out half Miah Nikora is also set to return soon after suffering a minor groin injury in the lead up to the game against Munster.
Winger Fetu’u Vainikolo missed out on the last round of RaboDirect Pro12 action due to injury but is set to return to the fray this week.
There were a few knocks picked up during Saturday’s defeat to Leinster most notably to winger Matt Healy, who suffered a hand fracture and is expected to be out of action for three to four weeks.
While Dave McSharry and Michael Swift also picked up injuries at the RDS, they have both been given the all clear and returned to full training yesterday.
As the province face into a big month of games both in all competitions, Head Coach Eric Elwood looks ahead to the first game of 2013:
“This game against Dragons is a vitally important one for the club. We’re side by side at the bottom of the table so this is a huge game for both teams.
“Obviously, with us at home, the pressure is on us to win it. The key thing is that we learn from the mistakes of the last two derby matches that we’ve had.
While Connacht achieved a double win over the men from Gwent last season, they were defeated 14-3 by the Dragons back in November.
The Dragons have visited the Galway Sportsground on nine previous occasions and won only once: 32-14 on 1 May 2004 on their first ever visit to the venue.
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Guinness PRO12 Connacht Kyle Tonetti Mata Fifita Rugby Newport Dragons