Ireland international centre Robbie Henshaw will return to Connacht for Friday evening's Challenge Cup quarter-final clash with English premiership favourites Gloucester.
Connacht's backs coach Andre Bell says Henshaw was back training this week at the Sportsground after playing in all Six Nations games with Ireland, and his return is a timely boost given the decimation of Connacht's midfield.
Unfortunately fellow centre Bundi Aki, although having returned to training after concussion, will not be available this week, nor will Conor Finn who limped off against Munster with a knee injury.
"We have had a few injuries in midfield, and we have had to bring in guys like Danie Poolman, and they have covered exceptionally well, but having an experienced player and a playmaker makes it more exciting for our backline," says Bell.
Key thing
“Robbie is excited to come back in our environment. He just has to get up to speed with our moves and back into the Connacht way, but he’s rarin’ to go and we are looking forward to his contribution on Friday. His confidence is high, but the key thing is that he is only part of our equation, and other players have to stand up as well.”
Bell said in the absence of Aki, Henshaw will continue at inside centre for Friday’s fixture with right wing Poolman expected to continue covering at number 13.
Mils Muliaina, who had a back injury last weekend, is available for selection, as is outhalf/centre Craig Ronaldson, who has recovered from the flu. Bell says Friday's fixture is a tough one against the only unbeaten pool winners.
“It’s going to be huge. It’s a quarter-final, knock-out rugby and Gloucester are unbeaten in this competition and they have a home crowd. We are under no illusion it is going to be a tough task.
“They have very big mobile forwards who like to grind a team down, but they also have quality backs – a fast back three – and we are aware of that,” Bell says.
David Humphrey’s Gloucester, currently ninth in the premiership, are looking at this competition as their only means of playing Champions Cup rugby next season. Top seeds with 29 points, they also won the trophy in 2006.
Execution errors
While they are coming off the back of a disappointing defeat to Sale in the premiership, Connacht still maintain their sixth place in the Pro 12 despite last weekend’s disappointing 42-20 result against Munster.
“We were right into the game up unto the 60th minute, so we have to take a lot of positive out of that,” said Bell.
“Just a couple of execution errors towards the end let us down. But we have got to move on and we want to approach Friday’s game with a really positive attitude. We are not worried about the Pro 12 this week. We are here to win a trophy, the Challenge Cup, and so we are taking it game by game. Our priority this week is Europe and we will pick the best team available.”
