I'm surprised he's not starting (or off the bench) for the Zebres game, is all. I assume that the start for the Eagles is just to get him settled in before the away sarries game.

clanman wrote:

Sol_ie wrote: So same outhalf set up as last weekend? Hopefully this is just a test run for Ronaldson.

At home against Saracens it was Ronaldson that came on in the 2nd half and made an instant impact, if he gets through the Eagles game it would not surprise me if Lam picks him ahead of Carty and Parks

Or carty 10, ronaldson 12, griffin 13, robbie 15?
Griffin is wasted at 12

Sol_ie wrote: So same outhalf set up as last weekend? Hopefully this is just a test run for Ronaldson.

At home against Saracens it was Ronaldson that came on in the 2nd half and made an instant impact, if he gets through the Eagles game it would not surprise me if Lam picks him ahead of Carty and Parks

So same outhalf set up as last weekend? Hopefully this is just a test run for Ronaldson.

Squad Update ahead of Zebre game

07th January 2014

The Connacht squad were back training yesterday as preparations switched to the Heineken Cup. Connacht face Zebre in round 5 of the pool stages this Saturday 11th January (kick off 15:40) at the Sportsground while the Connacht Eagles will travel to England to take on the Rotherham Titans in the British & Irish Cup.

There were no major injury concerns following Saturday’s disappointing 8 – 16 defeat to Leinster. Craig Clarke took a bang to the neck during the first half at the Sportsground and will continue to be monitored in training this week. The 30-year-old New Zealander was absent from the session on Monday following the birth of his first child at the weekend – a baby girl.

There was more good news for Pat Lam’s squad with the return to training of outhalf Craig Ronaldson and flanker Jake Heenan. The youthful duo missed out on the back-to-back festive derby period due to injury but the coaching staff are optimistic that both will be involved in games this weekend.

Meanwhile, backs Gavin Duffy and Frank Murphy also returned to training and are available for selection this week.
Prop Ronan Loughney, on his return from injury last week, earned game time on Saturday starting for local AIL side Corinthians RFC and contributing to their 10 – 3 win over Malone RFC.

Outhalf Miah Nikora, who has been working hard in rehab since the pre-season, has returned to training and is on track to be playing rugby in four weeks’ time.

Connacht have won all three of their meetings with Zebre in the European competition, including a 33-6 win away from home in Round 2. A win this week would keep the Irish province alive in Europe, with a game to play against Saracens for qualification from pool 3.

Tickets for Connacht v Zebre this weekend can be purchased online from tickets.ie, from the Connacht Rugby ticket office at the Sportsground or from Centra and SuperValu stores province-wide.

Adult tickets start at €30 while it’s €10 for all Juniors.

Connacht v Zebre
At the Sportsground, 3:40pm
On Sky Sports Red Button
Referee: Neil Paterson (Sco)
Assistant Ref: David Changleng (Sco)
Assistant Ref: Graeme Marshall (Sco)
TMO: Iain Ramage (Sco)
Citing Commissioner: Yann Le Dore (Fra)

The Connacht Eagles will return to British & Irish Cup action on Saturday afternoon away to pool leaders Rotherham Titans at Clifton Lane (KO: 2pm). The Eagles overcame the Titans 27 – 25 at the Sportsground in October, with a last minute, long-range penalty kick from Darragh Leader. The Eagles’ squad is set to include a mix of Senior and Academy players and the team will be announced on Friday.

Good to hear some good news on injury front. I thought Miah was out for full season. Sounds like Heenan will be in Senior Squad and Ronaldson will be with Eagles this weekend.