MUNSTER HAVE INJURY concerns over Stephen Archer, Mike Haley and Andrew Conway ahead of Sunday’s Heineken Champions Cup meeting with Castres in Thomond Park [1pm, BT Sport].
Johann van Graan’s side begin their training week in UL today, with fullback Haley still progressing through HIA return to play protocols after Friday’s win over Edinburgh in Cork.
An illness is keeping Archer out of training, while Conway – who scored twice for Munster within a week of his hat-trick for Ireland – is nursing a bruised knee which the head coach is hopeful will clear by Sunday.
The southern province are unbeaten heading into the pivotal back-to-back phase of the pool stage, leading pool 2 with seven points after a draw away to Exeter and a home win over Gloucester.
The reigning French champions are seventh after 11 rounds of the Top14, though just three points off third-place La Rochelle in a congested chasing pack behind Clermont and Toulouse.
Darren Sweetnam continues to be monitored after the back injury picked up in the first-half of Ireland’s win over the USA. Scrum-half Alby Mathewson is working his way back from a calf injury and is expected to reintegrate into training over the coming weeks.
“(It is a) bit frustrating that we’ve got a few forwards out at this stage; James Cronin, Rhys Marshall, Jean Kleyn and possibly Stephen Archer,” Van Graan said at UL this afternoon.
“That’s four of our main players in our tight five, but all credit to the likes of Kevin O’Byrne, Fineen Wycherley that have really stepped up over the last few weeks.
“We’ll reassess as we go through the week. Even though it’s Tuesday, it’s like a Monday morning at this stage. Once we get closer to the game we will make out final selection decision. Hopefully, we’ll be able to put a really competitive side out on Sunday.”
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Carty had a great game. The Connacht players looked absolutely gutted coming off at the end. It was a massive shift to put in. The RDS in the final 10mins was LOUD, seemed louder than the All Black’s game, in the terrace anyways. Heaving so it was. Frawley took some huge hits, especially that one from Aki (Ouch) but had a good game i thought, don’t think I seen him at full back before. Dave Kearney had a mixed game but I felt he stood up as a bit of a leader in the final quarter. Max Deegan did a good job when he came on.
@SPQH: I think the whole of the RDS felt that hit by Aki on Frawley, fair play to him for just jumping straight back up. He can also play centre so a great guy to have on the team.
Jaysus they deserved the win but what a game.
As a connacht fan, we only have ourselves to blame. Our defence I thought was too passive on the gainline. Its been the same all season, with a lack of agression, you give away allot of linebreaks and you’re always scrambling. Thats three we’ve lost in the last ten with poor defending when we should be closing it out. Glasgow, Ospreys and now Leinster. A 6-5 record should be a 9-2, and defeats will probably cost us a play off spot. Amazingly, for a team.who won the pro12, we lack the certainty of confidence that Leinster, Scarlets and Glasgow have.
But fair play to Leinster, their handling was exceptional in the last ten, and they took it from us, rather than us throwing it away even though our composure was awful. Thought Adam Byrne was awesome all game. Connacht have to learn to play for 80, similar to Ireland after the 2013 to the all blacks.
I thought Adam Byrne had a savage game. He always looks for the offload.
Underrated player.
Gutted 4 Connaught they just seemed to run out of petrol.
@Gerald Long: Diesel in the wesht lad
Subs made the difference.
its a f*****g hard one to take!!
Once Leinster brought out the 2nds to replace the 3rds it was all over.