Saracens add to Connacht’s woes

CONNACHT’S new coaching director Eric Elwood is sweating on the availability of players before a ball has been kicked in this season’s Magners League.

Missing from Saturday’s 22-5 loss to English side Saracens, were Irish squad members Sean Cronin, Gavin Duffy and captain John Muldoon. Coupled with injuries to Mike McCarthy, Keith Matthews, Johnny O’Connor, Ian Keatley, and Robbie Morris, Elwood is concerned.

“We are hoping that on the basis of playing just two pre-season games, it will give us time to get these fellows back on the park for the Dragons’ match. Without the three Irish squad members, we hope the others will be ready in time.”

Saracens’ prop Richard Skuse was the sole opening half scorer from a forward drive on 13 minutes.

A penalty try early in the second half added to the visitors’ tally before Connacht found their rhythm. From a sustained 10-minute spell on the visitors’ line, during which time George Kruis was sin-binned, Connacht hooker Adrian Flavin was duly rewarded.

But Sarries hit back and centre Kameli Ratuvou touched down in the left corner before a 77th minute try from Kelly Brown put a gloss on the win.

CONNACHT: T O’Halloran; T Nathan, N Taauso, E Griffin, F Carr; M Nikora, F Murphy; R Loughney, A Flavin, J Hagan; M Swift, B Upton; A Browne, R Ofisa, E Taylor.

Replacements: B Wilkinson for Loughney h/t; M McComish for Brown 43; S Conneely for Ofisa 67; D Fanning for Nikora 68m; C Willis for Murphy 72, R Sweeney for Hagan 74, D Nolan for Swift 78m.

SARACENS: A Goode; C Wyles, A Powell, B Barritt, N Cato, D Hoygaard, N De Kock; D Carstens, S Brits, R Skuse; H Vyvyn, M Botha, K Brown, J Burger, E Joubert.

Replacements: R Penny for Goode 36, R Gill for Carstens h/t; P Du Plessis for Skuse h/t; R Wigglesworth for De Kock h/t; K Ratouvu for Powell h/t; J Melck for Joubert 47; D Barrell, for Burger 51; N Mordt for Barritt 51; G Kruis for Vyvyn 51; H Smith for Botha 62; E Reynecke for Brits 62; M Parr for Gill 73.

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon.