THERE IS MORE bad news for Connacht fans after last weekend’s 18-7 loss to Ulster, with flanker Willie Faloon facing up to five months out of the game with a foot injury.
The 27-year-old was forced off just after half time in Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 inter-pro and will require surgery to rectify the problem. Faloon is in his second season with Connacht, having joined from Ulster in 2012.
Hooker Jason Harris-Wright also picked up an injury in the defeat at the Sportsground last weekend, with a torn bicep likely to keep him on the sidelines for 4-6 weeks. The 25-year-old is also in his second season with the western province, having had previous spells with Leinster and Bristol.
More positively, centre Dave McSharry and prop Denis Buckley both continue to make positive progress as they rehabilitate hip and shoulder injuries respectively. Both players are back in squad training but will not be available for selection this weekend.
Pat Lam’s side take on the in-form Ospreys on Saturday at the Sportsground and the losses of Faloon and Harris-Wright will be a blow to the Kiwi’s plans. He will be able to count on Robbie Henshaw, who returns to training tomorrow after being part of the Ireland camp at Carton House in the early part of the week.
Connacht will announce their team to face the Ospreys at noon on Friday.