Squad Update ahead of Zebre game
18th November 2014

Following a two week break in games, the Connacht Rugby squad stepped up preparations this week ahead of the visit of Zebre to the Sportsground on Friday night.

Pat Lam’s men, who currently sit in 6th place, welcome the Italian side for round 8 of the GUINNESS PRO12 competition and are likely to introduce a number of new players for the Friday night clash.

The latest arrival Tom McCartney as well as Mils Muliaina and Bundee Aki, who made his debut away to Ospreys in the last round, were all in full training yesterday and are available to the coaching team this week.

While front row forward JP Cooney was ruled out of action for up to six weeks after suffering a hand fracture in training last week, the propping options were since boosted with the return of Ronan Loughney and Finlay Bealham to match fitness.

Lock Aly Muldowney has reported ongoing concussive symptoms and is therefore unavailable this week while the medical team have also ruled out wing Niyi Adeolokun due to a high ankle sprain picked up against Ospreys last time out.

Ireland squad members Robbie Henshaw, Rodney Ah You, Kieran Marmion and Darragh Leader are all training at Carton House early this week. Players not selected to play in the final test with Australia will be released back to the province.

The Connacht team to face Zebre will be named on Thursday at noon.

Connacht v Zebre
Friday 21st November
The Sportsground
Kick off 7:35pm
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

Tickets starting at just €20 for adults are still available from tickets.ie, Centra & SuperValu stores province-wide or from the Connacht Rugby office at the Sportsground.

salmson wrote: Indo has Loughs available (phew!) and playing TH with Bealham as his backup.

phew indeed, I was close to the heart attack reading above

www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-...injury-30752680.html

Guess McCartney will be on the bench as reserve LH, since we're down to 3 senior props.

Finally, Pat may be listening to me :lol:

Indo has Loughs available (phew!) and playing TH with Bealham as his backup.

www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-...injury-30752680.html

Guess McCartney will be on the bench as reserve LH, since we're down to 3 senior props.

From The Irish Times

Prop JP Cooney is the latest casualty, having fractured his hand in training, and the former Garryowen man will be out of action for up to five weeks. He joins Nathan White, who had arm surgery two weeks ago and is likely to be sidelined for up to three months, while Connacht are also awaiting news on the availability of Rodney Ah You, who has been on the bench for Ireland in the opening two autumn Tests.
Also ruled out this week are lock Ali Muldowney with ongoing concussive symptoms, and wing Niyi Adeolokun who suffered high ankle sprain against the Ospreys.

Dave finn on twitter says Loughs might not make Friday. 2 from 3 of cooney bealham and dever at tighthead if that's the case.

He will be... Maybe we can have Marmion just after the last trainning session Friday in the morming...

galway_gas wrote: Marmion highly unlikely to be in matchday 23 for Australia match but could be kept out of fridays game in case there's any last minute injuries to Murray/Reddan.

With Reddan having started on Sunday against Georgia, I am not so sure he will be in front of Kieran for the Australia match on Sat.

galway_gas wrote: Marmion highly unlikely to be in matchday 23 for Australia match but could be kept out of fridays game in case there's any last minute injuries to Murray/Reddan.

Would be a shame

Marmion highly unlikely to be in matchday 23 for Australia match but could be kept out of fridays game in case there's any last minute injuries to Murray/Reddan.

Naoupu is the kind of guy I prefer to preserve for Scarlets. I think we will put nearly the same team, but Naoupu, Roux, Carty and possibly McCartney would bring some fresh blood for that decisive game

I like that team but i would start Naoupu .I prob start mills too cause i am so excited to see what he can do

Buckley
Heffernan
Loughney
Kearney
Muldowney
Muldoon
Faloon
McKeon
Marmion
Ronaldoson
Healy
McSharry
Aki
Poolman
Leader

Jhw
Bealham
JP Cooney
Roux
Naoupu
Porter/Blade
Carty
Mils

I'd keep McCartney in the fridge, just to put him straight into LH in a few weeks, this would ease Loughney move to TH, until White full recovery

Any team suggestions ????