15 Tiernan O’Halloran (118)
14 Niyi Adeolokun (49)
13 Stacey Ili (
12 Craig Ronaldson (58)
11 Matt Healy (84)
10 Jack Carty (71)
9 John Cooney (31)

1 Denis Buckley (108)
2 Tom McCartney (56)
3 JP Cooney (43)
4 Quinn Roux (46)
5 James Cannon (9)
6 Sean O’Brien (31)
7 Jake Heenan (47)
8 John Muldoon (292) (captain)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan (75)
17 Ronan Loughney (190)
18 John Andress (4)
19 Naulia Dawai (5)
20 Nepia Fox-Matamua (16)
21 Caolin Blade (37)
22 Tom Farrell (1)
23 Danie Poolman (79)

Injured / Unavailable: Conor Carey, Ivan Soroka, Conan O’Donnell, Andrew Browne, Marnitz Boshoff, Bundee Aki, Eoin Griffin, Cormac Brennan, Cian Kelleher, Darragh Leader, Josh Rowland.

Ireland squad: Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Kieran Marmion

pinky wrote: You don't get anything for 6th.

You get automatic qualification for next year's Champion's Cup, no?

As long as Ospreys and Glasgow stay in front of us (which they will) we will take the last automatic qualifying spot by passing Cardiff and either Ulster or Llanelli and finishing 6th. To that end us winning against Cardiff and Edinburgh beating Ulster this weekend would be a huge assist.

You don't get anything for 6th.

Huge game alright Borders. A loss here will take Cardiff and 7th place a long way clear of us. We also need to hope that Ulster lose to Edinburgh this evening or else 6th is unattainable..

Given last season's heroics and the disappointment of Europe it's hard to generate excitement for a mid table battle like this but this game is very significant game both for this season and looking forward.

Win this and I think it can set us up for a strong run and push us comfortably into at least 7th. Lose this and its going to be an uphill battle to make up ground for the rest of the season to even get into the (potential) 2nd play off spot. Cardiff started the season like a house on fire following on from some good results in the 2nd half of last season. While their form over the last few months has in general been poor they've still generally done ok at home.

They've always been a bit of a bogey side for us even when they've been going bad. However, the balance of our squad is improving slowly but surely with players returning from injury. Hopefully we've enough to get the result we need.

dobby wrote: Assume Finlay and Tiernan released for this? Injury update looking good. Most everybody available by next month

Finlay just arrived in Rome. Tiernan wasn't in today's training pictures so I'd say we have him back.

Assume Finlay and Tiernan released for this? Injury update looking good. Most everybody available by next month

Connacht Rugby wrote:
Cian Kelleher (hamstring) is progressing well and is due to return in the coming weeks.

Jack Carty posted a video of Cian helping to push a broken down car earlier today, and the hamstring seemed to hold up well

Squad Update for this week, three more back.

We'll see who comes straight back in to the squad for the weekend...(not a fan of that, especially for games on the road....)

Connacht Rugby wrote: Squad Update ahead of Cardiff Blues game
08th February 2017

Ahead of Sunday’s Guinness PRO12 round 14 game away to Cardiff Blues (1:05pm), the Connacht Rugby medical team have provided the following update.

Ronan Loughney, Eoghan Masterson and Stacey Ili have all recently returned to full fitness.

Update :

Conor Carey (foot) is continuing his recovery from his foot injury and will return to play in mid-March.

Ivan Soroka (knee) is progressing well following minor knee surgery and is due for a return in early March.

Andrew Browne (ankle) is continuing his rehabilitation from ankle surgery and will return to play in the next few weeks.

Marnitz Boshoff (shoulder) is progressing well in his rehabilitation and will return to play in mid-March.

Both Bundee Aki (ankle) and Eoin Griffin (chest) are continuing their rehabilitation and are due to return to play in the next few weeks.

Cian Kelleher (hamstring) is progressing well and is due to return in the coming weeks.

Josh Rowland (knee) is undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the medical and fitness team and will return to play in mid-March.

Darragh Leader (hand) is progressing well and due to return in March.

CARDIFF BLUES v CONNACHT RUGBY
Sunday February 12th 2017
At BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
Kick off 1.05pm
Live on S4C

Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 61st competition game)
Assistant Referees: Elia Rizzo (FIR), Aled Evans (WRU)
Citing Commissioner: John Charles (WRU)
TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)

I noticed Bundee had ice strapped to his calf/ankle in a video one of the lads posted on instagram yesterday. I don't think they'd risk him this week anyway, but certainly not if he's still nursing it.

wp_rathead wrote: Don't think any of the guys coming back from injury (Masterson and Aki) will be risked on the 4G pitch, Muldoon was saying at Q&A that it's a killer on your joints

I can attest to that. Last time we were in Cardiff, we walked across the pitch trying to take a shortcut to the pub after the game, and we were in serious pain the next day. I'll be walking around it this time.

Don't think any of the guys coming back from injury (Masterson and Aki) will be risked on the 4G pitch, Muldoon was saying at Q&A that it's a killer on your joints

Accidentally Onside wrote: I've got a niggling knee injury but I should be OK by kickoff

I'd expect to hear tomorrow lunch time, don't think Bundee will be back but would be hopeful for guys like O'Leary.....We might even hear about Masterson back in full training!!

Masterson played for the Eagles the other week so he should be available.

Accidentally Onside wrote: We might even hear about Masterson back in full training!!

Masterson played a half for the Eagles in their last match and has since played AIL so he's well past the point of returning to full training.

I've got a niggling knee injury but I should be OK by kickoff

I'd expect to hear tomorrow lunch time, don't think Bundee will be back but would be hopeful for guys like O'Leary.....We might even hear about Masterson back in full training!!