Connacht out-half and Kiltoom native Jack Carty faces between 1 and 3 months on the sidelines after he ruptured his spleen while on holiday in Dubai last week.
Carty suffered an unfortunate accident on a water slide and following medical review had the spleen removed. He will spend the remainder of this week in hospital in Dubai.
He has become an integral part of the Connacht side under Pat Lam and it is expected that USA International AJ McGinty will step in to share kicking duties with Craig Ronaldson duties during his absence.
There was some positive news for Connacht earlier when it was confirmed that Hooker Jason Harris-Wright who was concussed in the Challenge Cup game away to Brive has also been cleared to play this week. Prop JP Cooney who underwent shoulder stabilisation surgery in October 2015 played 60 minutes for Garryowen FC at the weekend and is now available for selection.
Matt Healy, who sustained a concussion in the last game against Scarlets, and Sean O’Brien, who was concussed in training, are both completing the final stages of the RTP protocols. It is hoped that both will be available for this week’s game.
The Connacht team to face Dragons will be named on Wednesday at 12 noon.