For the moment We've Faloon, I'm not worried yet; Someone in backrow like Diack had been playing 16 games in a season, so we can hope Willie can hold until February...
Hooker is the main prob, I felt it last week, before Edinburgh; At least 2 matches without JHW, if Heff gets injured, it's a disaster

Worried about these injuries, thought getting Leinster early in season would be good for us, not sure how to call this one. We'll be raiding the academy again

we got the expected bad news on Heenan this morning being out for 5 months, let's hope Faloon stay fit and healthy.

These games have always been tight and I think we've narrowed the gap this season, Leinster will be hoping their forward power will prevail as their back line has been missfiring of late and with injuries in a few positions I don't think they will trouble us if they move the ball.

I actually expect us to win this game, I hope Healy is fit to play.

SQUAD UPDATE
"While spirits were high in training at the sunny Sportsground yesterday following two consecutive GUINNESS PRO12 wins for Pat Lam’s men, there was widespread disappointment for two of Connacht’s senior players who were absent due to injury.

Hooker Sean Henry sustained a knee injury during his second half appearance at BT Murrayfield on Friday night. Following yesterday’s MRI, it has been confirmed that the 26-year-old from Sligo has ruptured his ACL. He will see a surgeon later in the week but is likely to be sidelined for up to six months.

23-year-old hooker convert Dave Heffernan has started the opening two rounds in the number 2 shirt. And while Connacht await the return to match fitness of Jason Harris-Wright (2-3 weeks) and the arrival of Tom McCartney at the conclusion of his ITM Cup campaign with Auckland, cover for the position will now be provided in the form of Jack Dinneen, currently in year 1 of the Academy, and sub-Academy hooker Shane Delahunt who was capped for Ireland Under-20’s earlier this year.

It has also been confirmed that openside flanker Jake Heenan suffered shoulder subluxation in the round 1 opener at home to Dragons. The same shoulder was operated on in February after which Heenan undertook his rehab programme. On review with the surgeon yesterday, it was apparent that he has sustained further injury to his shoulder and will require surgery – scheduled for Wednesday 24th September. Expected recovery time for the 22-year-old New Zealander is 4 – 5 months.

Meanwhile, Danie Poolman, who left the field following a head collision during Friday night’s fixture in the Scottish capital, will go through the normal ‘return-to-play’ protocols this week. The 24-year-old wing will be available for Friday night’s derby clash with Leinster should he pass all tests.

Connacht welcome Leinster to the Sportsground on Friday 19th September for a 19:35 kick off.

While the Clan Stand is already sold out, there are tickets available for other areas of the ground from tickets.ie, Centra & SuperValu stores province-wide and from the Connacht Rugby office at the Sportsground"

While spirits were high in training at the sunny Sportsground yesterday following two consecutive GUINNESS PRO12 wins for Pat Lam’s men, there was widespread disappointment for two of Connacht’s senior players who were absent due to injury.Hooker Sean Henry sustained a knee injury during his second half appearance at BT Murrayfield on Friday night. Following yesterday’s MRI, it has been confirmed that the 26-year-old from Sligo has ruptured his ACL. He will see a surgeon later in the week but is likely to be sidelined for up to six months.23-year-old hooker convert Dave Heffernan has started the opening two rounds in the number 2 shirt. And while Connacht await the return to match fitness of Jason Harris-Wright (2-3 weeks) and the arrival of Tom McCartney at the conclusion of his ITM Cup campaign with Auckland, cover for the position will now be provided in the form of Jack Dinneen, currently in year 1 of the Academy, and sub-Academy hooker Shane Delahunt who was capped for Ireland Under-20’s earlier this year.It has also been confirmed that openside flanker Jake Heenan suffered shoulder subluxation in the round 1 opener at home to Dragons.  The same shoulder was operated on in February after which Heenan undertook his rehab programme. On review with the surgeon yesterday, it was apparent that he has sustained further injury to his shoulder and will require surgery – scheduled for Wednesday 24thSeptember. Expected recovery time for the 22-year-old New Zealander is 4 – 5 months.Meanwhile, Danie Poolman, who left the field following a head collision during Friday night’s fixture in the Scottish capital, will go through the normal ‘return-to-play’ protocols this week. The 24-year-old wing will be available for Friday night’s derby clash with Leinster should he pass all tests.Connacht welcome Leinster to the Sportsground on Friday 19th September for a 19:35 kick off.While the Clan Stand is already sold out, there are tickets available for other areas of the ground from tickets.ie, Centra & SuperValu stores province-wide and from the Connacht Rugby office at the Sportsground.Tickets start at €25 for Adults and are €10 for all Juniors (17 years and younger).

Loughs played for Corinthians at weekend and Dineen for wegians. Hopefully both available for selection.

Shelflife wrote: Looks like Heenan out for up to 5 months, goes under the knife on weds.

Big loss to us.

Henry out too; possible cruciate damage and long term absence for him too. Poolman following concussion protocols and likely to miss out too.

Looks like Heenan out for up to 5 months, goes under the knife on weds.

Big loss to us.

Simplistic as it sounds an awful lot depends on how well Connacht deal with Leinster's physicality; its hard to overemphasize the level of quality that Leinster can bring in their pack.
I don't expect much joy from the lineout although I would be pleasantly surprised if they can be put under pressure there. If Roux starts he probably needs to play better than he has since he came to Ireland, or he will be absolutely blown out of it.
I don't want to be defeatist but I'd be happy with a lbp if Connacht come away injury free, and physically match Leinster while throwing some bone crunching tackles their way. The backline that they'll bring isn't any great shakes and if Madigan or Reid is at 12 and Macken at 13, then their defensive strength can and should be tested at every opportunity.

While my head tells me that this is a game we shouldnt expect much from, and should use to manage our players correctly, I would love it if we could beat them. LOVE IT

Reddan doesn’t indulge in cute-hoorism.
Isn't that exactly what he is doing here?

Apparently Zane Kirchner looks set to miss the match v Connacht with hamstring. Relief for our defense

Eoin Reddan so impressed by Connacht he says Leinster may be underdogs in Galway
The ex-Connacht scrum-half is preparing himself for battle in the season’s first inter-pro this Friday.

EVEN IN THE new season’s first inter-pro, Leinster are far too wily of a side to be surprised or caught cold by Connacht at the Sportsground.

However, Eoin Reddan’s approach to this week is to flip conventional thought completely on its head and name the reigning Pro12 champions as underdogs for Friday night’s clash in Galway.

Connacht’s start to the season has been impressive, carving out two wins while still leaving plenty of room for improvement for the long season ahead. The western province sit third, the best of the Irish going into the third week of the season.

“This weekend’s going to be very tough,” Reddan said at Leinster’s UCD base today.

“I think for once, given the continuity Connacht have had and the results they’ve had over the last two weeks we’re probably underdogs going down there which doesn’t often happen.”

Counting up the internationals on show may give most viewers an alternative view, but Reddan doesn’t indulge in cute-hoorism. The Limerick-born scrum-half is calling the contest exactly as he sees it, an uphill struggle.

“That would definitely be the perspective given where we were six months ago,” the 33-year-old said when TheScore.ie checked that its ears had not deceived and the word underdog had in fact been applied to Leinster.
Honest assessment

“But they’ve had two very close games, they’ve had huge continuity in terms of bringing guys back. Whereas we’ve kind of dripped guys in and our guys are coming back and haven’t played as much rugby as they have.

“I’m just giving you an honest assessment of where the game is going to be this week and how tough it’s going to be.

“I think we’re up against a totally different prospect, they’re tough and well able to make good decisions which does make it a very tough game for us.”

Leinster’s new scrum coach Marco Caputo has faced Connacht as a player too. And now that he lives in the Irish rugby community he points out that Connacht use their status as ‘little brother’ to their advantage. Reddan’s words and the current league table are unlikely to change the mind of many bookmakers, but the scrum-half has himself convinced that it’s his side, and not the western province who must prove a point on Friday. And perhaps that is no bad mindset to have.

“It’s a very, very tough place to play. It’s definitely become one of the hardest places to play in the league.

“They’re a very smart team – you’d always say ‘they were tough’. And ‘they’d make it difficult for you’, but right now I think their decision-making is one of their stronger points. Last week they had good decisions on whether to kick for the corner or take points.

“Jacky Carty is well able to know when to run the ball. They’ve got guys won’t just run into contact, they’re able to pass and they’re looking for offloads and making smart decisions which makes them an entirely different prospect than other years. So I expect a very tough game.”

thescore.thejournal.ie/eoin-reddan-leins...utm_source=shortlink