There was some good news for Connacht Rugby ahead of Saturday’s Champions Cup game at home to Zebre with confirmation that Jack Carty’s injury was not as bad as first feared.
The Kiltoom man picked up a low grade medial knee ligament sprain against Ospreys, rather than an ACL injury which was initially reported. Carty is unavailable this week and his fitness will be monitored ahead of the round 6 Champions Cup clash. In other good news, Craig Ronaldson, Dominic Robertson McCoy and Josh Rowland have all been integrated into team training this week following their respective injuries. Meanwhile, John Muldoon will resume squad activity today having recovered from the hamstring injury that ruled him out last week.
New signings
Connacht Rugby has also confirmed that outhalf Steve Crosbie and centre Tom Farrell (as we reported yesterday) have been added to the senior squad for the remainder of the 2016/17 season. Loosehead prop Peter McCabe has also joined the province on a loan deal from Munster Rugby.
23-year-old outhalf Steve Crosbie, who can also play in midfield, joins the province on the back of a short term contract with Munster where he made two appearances for their ‘A’ side in the British & Irish Cup last month. The former Ireland under-20’s player originally came through the Leinster academy system and made two Guinness PRO12 appearances at the beginning of the 2014/15 season.
The Connacht coaching team have also boosted their options at midfield with the addition of 23-year-old Tom Farrell who joins from English Championship side Bedford Blues where he made 12 appearances this season. Having played with Lansdowne RFC, Farrell came through the Leinster Academy and also represented Ireland at under-19 and under-20 level. He joined up with his new team mates at the Sportsground on Monday and was today added to the European Rugby Champions Cup squad for the province.
24-year-old McCabe has also joined the province on loan from Munster Rugby and as cover for current front row injuries. The Cork-born prop impressed on a number of occasions for Munster ‘A’ after making his B&I Cup debut in the 2015 quarter-final against Doncaster Knights. He made his senior debut in the Guinness PRO12 this season, coming on as a replacement against the Ospreys and a week later starting in the friendly against the Maori All Blacks at Thomond Park.
Short term injuries
The Connacht Rugby Medical Team have also provided updates on an number of other recently injured players. Peter Robb sustained a concussion in the game against Ospreys and will observe the return-to-play protocols. Jake Heenan suffered a minor knee injury against Ospreys. He is unavailable this week and his fitness will be monitored ahead of the round 6 Champions Cup clash. Ultan Dillane will continue rehab on his ankle injury which does not require surgery. He is expected to return in 3 – 4 weeks. Quinn Roux is being treated for a groin injury sustained in training and will continue to be monitored this week.
Nepia Fox-Matamua is continuing his rehab for the rib cartilage injury he sustained in the Munster game. He is unavailable this week but his fitness will be monitored by the medical team.