Connacht’s play-off drive in the PRO14 has been handed a big boost with the return of out-half Jack Carty to training in time for this weekend’s clash with Zebre following an arm injury.

Jack Carty returned to the Sportsground after his Irish debut in the Six Nations to guide them to a priceless victory in their quest for a knockout place and Champions Cup rugby next season.

Jack Carty crowned a glorious week as he celebrating his call-up to the Irish squad by scoring the match-winning try three minutes from time to send Connacht into the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

Connacht prop Finlay Bealham is hopeful an impressive series of performances over the festive period will see him included in the Ireland squad for the Six Nations.

It says a lot about Connacht under Andy Friend that they were disappointed not to claim a bonus-point win over Top 14 outfit Bordeaux-Bègles as both teams tested the extent of their squads. But the coach left his players in no doubt that they have to improve their discipline or risk being dropped.

Connacht 26 Glasgow Warriors 27

Connacht 47 Leinster 10: On a day when Connacht bade farewell to their talisman from Portumna, along comes another farmer’s son from a few miles away on the other side of the River Shannon to lay down a marker and offer hope for the future with hooker Shane Delahunt producing a remarkable display on a day of celebration in Galway.

Cheetahs 26 Connacht 25: Two weeks ago, as Connacht headed off on a tour to Treviso in Italy and the Highveld in South Africa, they would probably have settled for a return of five points against two sides who have been chalking up the results in their own backyards.

Meanwhile, Finlay Bealham returns from a knee injury to make his 100th appearance for Connacht.

Connacht tighthead prop Finlay Bealham is primed to answer the call if Joe Schmidt includes him in the Ireland Six Nations squad ahead of Wales.

Connacht prop Conor Carey is hoping to push on this spring and start emulating some of the achievements enjoyed by the tightheads he came through with on an exceptional Irish U20 squad.

Their PRO14 form is dodgy to say the least, but Connacht’s pedigree in the European Challenge Cup is obvious and on Saturday night they took a big step not only towards securing a quarter-final spot, but ensuring that they will enjoy home advantage in the last eight.

Zebre 24 Connacht 10: Michael Bradley knows all about building from the bottom in professional rugby — his seven years at the Sportsground took Connacht through the most difficult period in their history — and he is happy with the progress he is making in his first few months with Zebre. 

Connacht lacked so much ‘attitude and commitment’ according to coach Kieran Keane who bristled with frustration as his side lost for the third time in four PRO14 games on Saturday.

Connacht paid the price for a shocking first-half display as they were beaten 21-8 by the Dragons in Newport.

Glasgow are not the first team to come to Galway and deal better with the wind and rain than the home team, but new coach Kieran Keane was anxious not to blame the weather for losing their opening game of the season to the same opposition for the second year in a row.

Glasgow Warriors 35 - Connacht 24: This time last year Connacht fans were holding their breath in anticipation. Sitting pretty at the top of the table, having only lost five times all season, Connacht were working their way to a first Guinness PRO12 trophy and Champions Cup rugby.

Connacht 14 - Dragons 9: Connacht coach Pat Lam says Kieran Marmion is fit to make his first start in the Six Nations next Saturday against France if called into action.

Guinness PRO12

Ospreys 29 Connacht 7: Connacht’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions Cup quarter-finals were hit when out-half Jack Carty added to their growing injury list in a 29-7 defeat to the Ospreys.

Amazing how perception can skew into accepted fact. And even legend.

Zebre 7 Connacht 52: Two rounds played in the Champions Cup and only three teams in Europe have chalked up two wins. No surprise that Saracens and Clermont Auvergne have begun in such stellar fashion, but Pat Lam’s men are beginning to show that their historic PRO12 win might not be a one-hit wonder.

Scarlets 17 Connacht 8: After a third successive loss, Connacht are in choppy waters, and Edinburgh’s impending visit to the Sportsground has taken on a must-win feeling.

When a friend and colleague retires it always gives pause for thought and Mike Ross is no exception, but Eoin Reddan’s decision to quit the game has not prompted a rethink for the Ireland prop.

It has been a huge season for Connacht prop Finlay Bealham.

For a small town, Enniskillen has given birth to more than its share of international sportsmen, amongst them Olympic gold medal sprinter Robert Kerr, champion heavyweight boxer Gordon Ferris and ex-Celtic goalkeeper Michael McGovern.

Edinburgh 23 Connacht 28: Connacht survived a huge examination from Edinburgh in Murrayfield last evening to stay top of the Guinness Pro 12 with their fifth win on the trot.

Zebre 34 Connacht 51: Connacht are preparing to step it up as their season becomes considerably tougher with the visit of the Ospreys next up in the Galway Sportsground.

After a brief respite, Connacht Rugby return to Pro12 action and face an improving Newport Gwent Dragons in Newport this evening (7.30pm).

Connacht 30 Scarlets 17: Connacht Rugby players take a deserved six-day break after finishing a run of 16 games with a European quarter-final in the diary and a top-four Guinness Pro 12 spot secure.

Connacht 3 Ulster 10: Ulster’s European winning form continued in the Guinness Pro12 when they took the spoils in a tight festive derby at the Galway Sportsgound on St Stephen’s night.

Connacht’s rising young prop Finlay Bealham, known for his physicality, is expecting another bruising challenge against Newcastle on Sunday in the second of the European Challenge Cup back-to-back fixtures.

Newport Gwent Dragons 25 Connacht 30: Connacht maintain sixth place in the Pro12 after seeing off 14-man Dragons at Rodney Parade yesterday.

Guinness Pro12