CONNACHT COULD BE without versatile back Stacey Ili until February.
According to an injury update issued by the province this afternoon, the New Zealander will be unavailable for up to six weeks as a result of the ankle injury he sustained during their European Champions Cup defeat to Wasps.
Ili partnered Bundee Aki in midfield at the Ricoh Arena nine days ago but was withdrawn after 38 minutes of Connacht’s 32-17 defeat. The 25-year-old subsequently missed Saturday’s win against the same opposition at the Sportsground.
Jake Heenan was also injured away to Wasps but the news is more positive for the 24-year-old flanker. Heenan lasted 45 minutes in Coventry before ankle and knee injuries forced him out.
The former New Zealand U20 international will miss this Friday’s Guinness Pro12 game against Ulster at Kingspan Stadium, but as he continues his rehabilitation under the supervision of Connacht’s medical and fitness team, it’s hoped that Heenan will be available for selection against Munster in Galway on New Year’s Eve.
Two players awaiting further updates on their injury problems are props Conor Carey and Dominic Robertson-McCoy. Both men have undergone scans to determine the extent of their injures.
After being introduced as a 62nd-minute replacement for Finlay Bealham on Saturday, Carey lasted just eight minutes due to picking up a foot injury. Robertson-McCoy sustained an injury to his shoulder last week in training.
