Duffy and Wilkinson blow for Connacht

CONNACHT have suffered a significant double blow ahead of Saturday’s Magners League clash with Leinster after full-back Gavin Duffy and loosehead prop Brett Wilkinson were ruled out through injury.

Prop Wilkinson picked up a hand injury in the 35-3 loss to Munster and will not be available for the visit of the Heineken Cup champions to the Sportsground.

And Duffy will also have to sit this one out after suffering an injury to his jaw.

But promising young prop Jamie Hagan has been passed fit to play following a finger injury sustained against Munster.

Coach Michael Bradley has recalled his frontline players with John Muldoon set to skipper the side with the likes of Frank Murphy, Fionn Carr, Robbie Morris and Mike McCarthy returning to the squad.

Bradley has named a 25-man squad and will finalise his side on Friday morning.

CONNACHT: L Bibo, A Browne, F Carr, S Cronin, A Flavin, J Hagan, I Keatley, R Loughney, K Matthews, M McCarthy, M McComish, R Morris, F Murphy, J Muldoon, T Nathan, G Naoupu, M Nikora, R Ofisa, J O’Connor, C O’Loughlin, M Swift, N Ta’auso, B Tuohy, B Upton, A Wynne.