Connacht v Zebre on Saturday 02nd of December (K.O. 1:15pm – Live TG4)

Here is the Connacht squad update for Saturday. Plain to see rushing Heenan and McKeon back backfired big time.

www.connachtrugby.ie/squad-update-issues...of-zebra-v-connacht/

Eoin McKeon injured his hamstring versus Cardiff and will be out of action for a number of weeks.

Jake Heenan injured his shoulder versus Cardiff and is awaiting the results of a scan to determine the extent of the injury.

I assume it will be a BR of Masterson MUl and Duwai. Is Boyle ready to step up to the plate I wonder?

Himself or Harley Fox had better be I suppose. At least the three fit senior players we have are versatile enough that it doesn't matter what position of back row comes on the the bench, whoever the coaches reckon is the most ready will do.

Edit: or maybe we'll see the once off Dillane blindside experiment that never panned out given another go...

Find it strange we're not signing someone from other provinces (Leinster back ups especially) on short term loan like we did we crosbie/McCabe previously to cover Back Row

chops123 wrote: Find it strange we're not signing someone from other provinces (Leinster back ups especially) on short term loan like we did we crosbie/McCabe previously to cover Back Row

Especially with Timmins sitting on his hands at Leinster. Hopefully it means the coaches think one of the young lads are ready to step up.

McKeon/Heenan were involded straight in when they were announced back to training.
Should be the same for Connolly this week, as n°20.
Butler is very near a return.
If Heenan is not out after new year, no need for a loan...

connachta wrote: McKeon/Heenan were involded straight in when they were announced back to training.
Should be the same for Connolly this week, as n°20.
Butler is very near a return.
If Heenan is not out after new year, no need for a loan...

Is that not more of a reason not for him to be involved given what happened to Heenan and mckeon

it's a reason to give him proper warn-up and reasonable gametime, as 20 and not as starter

www.connachtrugby.ie/pita-ahki-named-in-...or-clash-with-zebre/

except Niyi out, it's the perfect team IMO

Ciaran Gaffney on bench for Zebre

What's the story with McCartney, he hasn't featured over the last few games, and didn't see anything about being injured.

Main issue will be all those Italian internationals back.
2 points in Cardiff were not that bad in the condition we take 5 tomorrow (4 at the very least).
Hard to target with : Referee: George Clancy

Newname wrote: What's the story with McCartney, he hasn't featured over the last few games, and didn't see anything about being injured.

Only 3 possiblities :

1) he has family issues in N-Z
2) Keane trusts Delahunt/Heff (I woudn't be bothered)
3) He is kept fresh because K.K targets mainly Europe to qualify. (but in this case why not resting Buckly for example)

Dawai clearly not rated at all, looks like he's the last choice senior backrow.

Maybe he's clearly going and Keane wants to build the squad for the future.. We'll see that if Butler/Connolly/McKeon are prefered to Heenan (if the latter comes back from injury)