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Pro12

Inter-pro: Elwood relishing derby season

The western province will have their ranks bolstered for the visit of Munster this weekend

CONNACHT COACH ERIC Elwood will be able to boost his pack with the returning Michael Swift for this weekend’s inter-provincial clash with Munster.

The veteran lock has been absent through injury for three weeks, but returned to training today along with centre Eoin Griffin who has recovered from an ankle knock sustained again Harlequins.

“It’s great to have more and more of the guys back. You want a large squad to choose from, especially for the big games like derby matches.” Said Elwood, alluding to last week’s return of Nathan White and George Naoupu.

After flanker Willie Faloon was ruled out for eight weeks with a fractured eye socket in the home encounter, the main concern emerging from the mud-bath 17-0 defeat in Biarritz was centre Danie Poolman.

Quick recovery

The new South African recruit was stretchered off after taking a knee to the head. However, the province today reports that he has “recovered well” and has already returned to light training.

With Poolman out and Griffin short of match fitness it is also hoped that Kyle Tonetti could play some part in the second inter-provincial meeting of the Christmas period – Connacht’s trip to face Leinster.

“The derby matches are always special.” Elwood added on ConnachtRugby.ie. “Everyone wants to play in these games and at Christmas time, it’s going to be a full house. It’s never an issue getting up for a game like that, we will relish the challenge.

“We’re very much looking forward to it and hopefully we can improve on our intensity levels from last week as we will certainly need it. When you’re playing a powerhouse like Munster you’ve got to match them physically and you’ve got to have that high level of intensity in your game.”

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