Marmion and Henshaw set to return for away clash against Edinburgh

CONNACHT’S internationals shoot into action this weekend boosting the province’s chances of back-to-back wins in the opening two rounds of the Guinness Pro 12.

Head coach Pat Lam is free to start Robbie Henshaw and Kieran Marmion against Edinburgh in Murrayfield tonight (7.35pm) after the duo was rested for last week’s win over Newport Gwent Dragons under the IRFU’s player welfare.

Scrum-half Marmion did feature from the bench in the 16-11 win at the Sportsground, in a compromise due to a lack of Connacht cover in the number nine position – he will almost certainly start.

Henshaw, full-back for much of last season, is expected to line out at outside centre this season, as Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt wants him ‘blooded’ for the number 13 jersey ahead of the World Cup next year. Henshaw at 13, alongside Dave McSharry, is an exciting prospect for Connacht, and one to look forward to as the season progresses.

Utility back Darragh Leader, who filled the central role last week, may slot in at full-back, although Shane Layden did quite well at 15 on Saturday.  The team will be announced at noon today (Thursday) before they depart for Scotland.

Extremely worrying news emerged after the Dragons game, with confirmation that Jake Heenan aggravated a shoulder injury that kept him out for six months last season.

A tank of a man, standing six foot two inches and over sixteen stone, the open-side flanker has been a revelation since arriving from New Zealand last year. The 22-year-old left the field with just two minutes to go, worryingly holding the shoulder he had surgery on last February.

Connacht confirmed it is awaiting further tests to assess the scale of the damage – everyone will obviously be hoping he’ll recover quickly because his energy, enthusiasm and skill in the tackle and at the breakdown are vital ingredients if the Westerners are to make a serious impression in the league this season. Lam et al are keeping their fingers crossed.

There was some encouraging news on the injury front with the return to full training of winger Matt Healy, top try scorer last season. Healy (hand fracture) is on the mend and will be available in the next couple of weeks. Centre Shane O’Leary (dead leg) is available for selection as is captain John Muldoon, who sat out training on Monday with a tight hamstring.

Connacht did shock the home team two seasons ago, 32-24, and a repeat of that performance, in which Henshaw scored a decisive try, is not beyond the bounds of possibility.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.