Connacht Squad Update

Following Connacht’s comprehensive RaboDirect PRO12 victory over Heineken Cup champions Leinster on Friday night, Eric Elwood’s side look forward to their second inter-pro derby this week. They will travel toBelfast to take on the league leaders Ulster at Ravenhill.

Despite a number of injuries in the squad, Friday night’s game saw fantastic individual displays but ultimately it was the collective effort from the entire squad that best exemplifies the night.

Man of the Match Michael Swift, Friday’s captain Nathan White and try scorer Ronan Loughney are all suffering from knocks following Friday’s 34-6 triumph over Leinster.

Frank Murphy (knee) is expected to be unavailable for selection for 6 - 8 months and Dave Nolan (leg) is also out for the long term.

Also featuring on the injury list are:

Andrew Browne
Gavin Duffy
Matt Healy
Matthew Jarvis
Eoin McKeon
Frank Murphy
Brian Murphy
Dave Nolan
Paul O’Donohoe
Danie Poolman
Kyle Tonetti
Head Coach, Eric Elwood, is delighted with the remarkable win over Leinster but knows there is a lot of work to do ahead of this week’s clash against Ulster.

“We’re very proud of the way we played on Friday but the big test now is to ensure we can play like that against Ulster this week and on a regular basis throughout the season.”

not good seeing eoin mckeon injured but john muldoon is of the list which is great, white and locks both injured whould be a disaster but if its only knocks they can shake them of for the ulster game

With our first two Heineken Cup fixtures on the following 2 weekends I wouldn't be surprised if there are a number of changes/players rested for this one. Probably for Ulster too. On what is bound to be an emotional night and on Ulsters current form I doubt we'll get anything from this game. Hope I'm wrong though.

Not much to debate on this one. Might see a few changes in the pack to avoid flogging the more senior players, or to give some others some gametime (Swift/Gannon, White/Loughs, Flavin/Harris-Wright, Jonny/son-of-Jonny) but I'd expect the same 23 anyway unless Poolman or Mul are fit again.

It was an amazing win against Leinster and one we should all be proud of and happy with but Ulster is next. They trashed Cardiff this week shipping over 7 trys against them. So with both teams coming off major wins confidence will be high in both camps. Ulster had one injury this week with Michael Allen injured so there will be at least one change to Ulster with Paddy Wallace probably coming in. Who do you think we should pick to go there? My view is that we should keep the team that beat Leinster with maybe an argument for a senior player whose back from injury going on the bench. Thoughts?