The Connacht Rugby squad will be short a number of players for Saturday’s Guinness PRO12 opener with Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground.
In the front row Nathan White is continuing his recovery from a head injury arising from concussion sustained last season. Academy prop Conan O’Donnell is nearing a return as he continues to rehab from the foot injury that kept him out of the World Rugby U20’s Championship during the summer.
This is some positive news as new signing Conor Carey has returned to full training and is due to be available for selection.
Roscommons Danny Qualter could be set for a place in the squad as Quinn Roux (hip) and Andrew Browne (thigh), both pictured above, are undergoing rehab for injuries sustained in pre-season. They remain unavailable for selection for 2-3 weeks. Ben Marshall is continuing his recovery from a head injury arising from concussion sustained last season.
In addition, Academy locks Cian Romaine, who has Ballyforan connections, Peter Claffey and Cillian Gallagher are all unavailable to the senior coaching team due to respective injuries
Jake Heenan (hand) and Sean O’Brien (ankle) are both undergoing rehab with the medical and fitness team for their injuries sustained in pre-season. Both players are due to return in early October. Fellow back row Eoghan Masterson (knee) is continuing his recovery from last season’s knee surgery and is due to return in December 2016.
John Cooney (shoulder) is nearing a return to partial training with the squad as he returns from the injury he sustained in the Pro 12 Final.
Craig Ronaldson (thigh) is progressing well as he recovers from his pre-season injury and is due to return in late September/early October. That means Kiltooms Jack Carty is set for an extended run at Out-half.
Meanwhile, Darragh Leader (hand) has undergone surgery on his hand injury and will return in February 2017.
Partership extended
In other news, Kinetica Sports, leading Irish sports nutrition brand and Connacht Rugby have today announced the renewal of their partnership for a further three years. Gavin Duffy, Sponsorship Manager at Connacht Rugby welcomed the announcement in saying: “We are delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with Kinetica. The high quality nutritional products they provide not only increase and maintain the productivity and energy levels of the players but also play a vital role in their recovery after training and games”