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James Crombie/INPHO

Connacht injuries mount with Heenan out for up to 5 months and Sean Henry for even longer

Nothing ever comes easily out west.

CONNACHT HAVE TODAY confirmed that Jake Heenan’s dislocated shoulder will require a further four to five months out of the game.

The 22-year-old New Zealander underwent surgery on the injury in February, but suffered a partial dislocation of the joint in the closing stages of the opening Pro12 victory over the Dragons.

After consulting with his surgeon, Heenan will go under the knife again next Wednesday and may not wear the Connacht jersey again until February.

The news from the medical staff is even worse regarding hooker Sean Henry. The Sligo man ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in Friday’s win over Edinburgh at Murrayfield. Although the province is still awaiting a full prognosis from the surgeon, they expect to do without Henry for up to six months.

With Jason Harris-Wright at least a fortnight from fitness and Tom McCartney’s move from Auckland still a medium-term consideration, Pat Lam is left with Dave Heffernan as his sole senior hooker. Year one academy prospect Jack Dinneen and the sub-academy’s Shane Delahunt will provide the cover in the short-term.

Outside of the pack, Danie Poolman suffered a head injury against Edinburgh and, though the province are hopeful he can pass the return to play concussion protocols, he will be cutting it fine to feature against Leinster on Friday.

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