Out of action for almost five months, Connacht's Mark McHugh could make his comeback this weekend at the Sportsground against Ulster in tomorrow's Celtic League meeting. Connacht have named McHugh in their extended squad of 26 players for the 2pm start.
A serious knee injury picked up pre-season during a friendly match against Leicester has kept McHugh out of the equation, but he has made a quicker-than-expected recovery and could play at the weekend.
The experienced centre received the injury when he was tackled as he cleared the ball in the closing minutes of the province's win over Leicester.
The injury was quickly diagnosed as damaged lateral knee ligaments and he underwent surgery almost immediately. The 27-year-old was not expected to return to competitive rugby until some time in February.
News of the player's imminent return will be a boost to coach Michael Bradley ahead of the Celtic League game this weekend and subsequently against the Dragons - as well as the two European Challenge Cup games against Montpelier and Amatori Catania.
Connacht had an encouraging win in the Challenge Cup against Worcester two weeks ago, but their Celtic League form has not been good this season and they remain at the bottom of the league table with just one win from 10 games played.
Their game against the Dragons will be an important match as the Welsh side are also struggling and are in second-bottom position.
A number of names have been added to the squad that travelled to Thomond Park on Tuesday including Colm Rigney, who returns from a neck injury, Christian Short, Keith Matthews and Conor O'Loughlin. Because of a shoulder injury that puts the position of Tom Tierney in doubt, O'Loughlin has been called in as cover.
Doubt also continues to surround Ulster second row Matt McCullough, who picked up an injury in Ulster's game against Leinster earlier in the week at Ravenhill Road, while Kevin Maggs is also receiving treatment, although appears not to be as serious as McCullough.
McCullough picked up knocks to his leg and shoulder and according to coach Mark McCall is likely to be unable to partner Australian international, Justin Harrison, in the second row.
"It is unlikely that we will start with the same line-up that faced Leinster," said McCall. "We have six games in 30 days and that is a heavy load so we will have to nurse the squad through."
The changes, however, may not be entirely down to squad rotation. After Ulster's defeat to Leinster, McCall observed that the 20 minutes following half-time were one of the worst spells of rugby the team has played under his direction.
Leinster named a 28-man squad earlier in the week and will reduce it to 22 today, while Munster have named a 25-man squad. Denis Fogarty, who came off with a dead leg against Connacht, is fit for selection while centre Gary Connolly, who also took a knock is also available.
John Kelly, who was not in the squad last time, comes back in for consideration.
Coach Declan Kidney is left with the regular dilemma to pick three from the four back rows, Stephen Keogh, Denis Leamy, David Wallace and Anthony Foley.
SQUADS
MUNSTER (25): Backs - S Payne, M Lawlor, B Murphy, T Halstead, G Conolly, J Kelly, A Horgan, J Manning, R O'Gara, P Stringer, T O'Leary. Forwards - M Horan, F Roche, D Fogarty, J Flannery, F Puccerello, J Hayes, D O'Callahan, M O'Driscoll, P O'Connell, T Hogan, S Keogh, D Leamy, D Wallace, A Foley.
CONNACHT (26): Forwards - R Hogan, A Clarke, S Knoop, J Fogarty, J Merrigan, A Farley, D Gannon, C Short, M Swift, J Muldoon, B O'Connor, M Lacey, C Rigney. Backs - C Keane, T Tierney, C O'Loughlin, P Warwick, D Slemen, K Matthews, J Hearty, A Mailei, G Williams, C McPhillips, T Robinson, M McHugh, M Mostyn.
