Under-pressure Connacht are still stalked by injuries ahead of Ospreys clash

AFTER their opening day mauling at the hands of Glasgow, there is no respite for reigning Pro12 champions Connacht as they host table toppers Ospreys in the Sportsground tomorrow Saturday (7:35pm).

The fortunes of both teams over the opening weekend were, to say the least, polar distances apart, with Connacht humiliated 41-5 by visiting side Glasgow Warriors and the Ospreys thumping Zebre 59-5 at the Liberty Stadium.

By virtue of that eight-try, bonus point win, Ospreys lead the way after the opening round ahead of Glasgow, Cardiff Blues and Ulster. Indeed, after the first round, Connacht chase most of the pack, with Irish rivals Leinster and Munster also picking up wins.

In Connacht’s defence, they did have a number of injuries going into their season opener and it hasn’t got any easier for Pat Lam and his coaching staff as they have been left to fret over a number of more.

Influential prop Denis Buckley and centre Peter Robb both sustained concussions in the game against Glasgow. Both are being monitored and are following the Graduated Return to Play protocols under the supervision of the medical team.

In addition, back row Nepia Fox-Matamua (hamstring), scrum-half Caolin Blade (quad) and full-back Cian Kelleher (hip) are all nursing injuries sustained in the defeat to Glasgow while Rory Parata is out of action for a month after hurting his knee in a club game.

They join a long list of players recovering from injuries at the moment, including Nathan White and Ben Marshall (concussion), Quinn Roux (hip), Andrew Browne and Craig Ronaldson (thigh), Sean O’Brien (ankle), Jake Heenan and Darragh Leader (hand) and Eoghan Masterson (knee).

However, on a more positive note, prop Conor Carey, who sustained a shoulder injury with former club Nottingham last season, made a return to club rugby at the weekend and is available for selection on Saturday.

While Pat Lam will no doubt initiate changes in his starting line-up for this one – forced and unforced – it would be a surprise if Ospreys did the same after their huge victory on the opening day. To the fore in that win was Sam Parry, who became the first Ospreys forward to score three tries in a competitive game.

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