Ahead of the sold out New Year’s Day clash between Connacht and Munster at the Sportsground, Pat Lam’s men were back to work on Sunday in advance of the arrival of their provincial rivals to Galway on Thursday (kick off 5pm).
Following the 13 – 10 defeat to Ulster in Belfast on Friday night, there were injury concerns around late withdrawals Ronan Loughney and Quinn Roux. Galway man Loughney, who aggravated his back in training last week, remains a doubt for this week’s clash while second row Roux is on track for a return after symptoms from the ankle injury sustained in the Friday night warmup improved.
The province’s most capped player Michael Swift has been entered in to the return-to-play programme for a concussion he suffered during last week’s training session. It is expected that the second row veteran will be out of action for 2 – 3 weeks.
Scrum half Ian Porter is also facing a similar spell on the sidelines as he continues rehab on a mid-foot sprain.
Meanwhile, back row forward Eoin McKeon, who missed the last round due to a knee sprain, returned to full training yesterday and is available for selection this week.
Similarly, centurion Fionn Carr, who completed the return-to-play protocols for concussion, resumed full training this week and is now available to the coaching staff.
Mick Kearney (ankle) and Tiernan O’Halloran (knee) both commenced running on Monday but the duo are another 2 – 3 weeks away from any match action.
Connacht v Munster
The Sportsground, 5pm.
Live on TG4
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU, 32nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher, Brian MacNeice (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Wayne Sheridan (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)
Connacht’s GUINNESS PRO12 clash with Munster on New Year’s Day is now completely SOLD OUT with over 8,000 supporters expected at the Sportsground.