Connacht suffered a setback in their preparations for Friday’s Heineken Cup game against Biarritz with the news that captain Gavin Duffy has been ruled out of action for four to five weeks with a hamstring injury.
The Mayo man, who has only recently returned to the team after an injury-enforced absence, limped off the pitch 23 minutes into last weekend’s one-point defeat to Edinburgh Rugby.
Forwards Mike McCarthy and Nathan White missed last week’s game due to injury and they will be closely monitored this week.
A decision will be made over the next two days on their involvement against Biarritz.
TJ Anderson and Eoghan Grace both returned to training this week and will be available this weekend. It is also hoped that hooker Ethienne Reynecke will make a welcome return to training this week.
Duffy is just one of a number of players unavailable to head coach Eric Elwood with the likes of John Muldoon, Frank Murphy, George Naoupu, Dave Nolan, Michael Swift, Kyle Tonetti, Rodney Ah You, Mata Fifita and Eoghan Griffin all sidelined through injury.
Despite missing so many influential players, Elwood is adamant his charges can overturn French giants Biarritz when they visit the Sportsground on Friday (8pm).
“Yes we’re very thin on the ground,” he admitted.
“This week is a big occasion for the club. We’re all excited about the Heineken Cup and everybody wants to play.
“After last year’s campaign, we want to step up and improve on what we did last year. Even with the unfortunate injuries, we really fancy ourselves against teams like Biarritz.
“As I said last week, the young lads really stepped up to the plate against Edinburgh. And I have every faith that they will step up again this week if asked to do so.”