Connacht Squad Update

There were some injury concerns arising from the week, the details of which were confirmed today by Head Physio Gavin Malouf.

Forwards Andrew Browne and Aly Muldowney both picked up injuries on the training field. Browne, who sustained a meniscal tear to his knee is due to see a surgeon today but is looking at 4 - 5 weeks on the sidelines.

Second row Aly Muldowney will also be out of action for up to five weeks with an ankle sprain.

From match action, winger Matt Healy suffered a small hand fracture and is now looking at a four-week rehab programme before he is available again. Centre Dave McSharry will be forced to sit out training this week due to a mild ankle sprain incurred during the game.

In better news, Jake Heenan, Ronan Loughney and Jack Carty have all resumed full training and are in line to feature in Connacht's next and final preseason game against Wasps on August 23rd.

This week, Robbie Henshaw, Kieran Marmion and Rodney Ah You are all involved in Ireland's three-day training camp in Carton House and will return to Galway on Wednesday.

Despite Friday night's result, Head Coach Pat Lam found the fixture a 'beneficial and worthwhile exercise' commenting:

"When you consider the front line players we were without, it was always going to be a tough challenge against a full strength Clermont side, stacked full of internationals. On the flip side, it was a great opportunity to give our new and less experience players a chance to test themselves against such quality opposition.

"The purpose of the game was to test our structures under pressure and that's what excited us about playing a team like Clermont who were so geared up for the start of their new season.

"We gave ourselves good scoring chances but we let ourselves down in terms of roles and execution. It's not until you get a game like that under your belt with a new squad that you can then step up training to the next level based on the learnings.

"In that regard, we were very pleased with the game and the hard work that went into the week-long camp."