Connacht ‘confident’ straw will bail them out for Stephen’s Day

CONNACHT are confident their St Stephen’s Day clash with Munster will beat the big freeze and go ahead as planned at the Sportsground.

A thaw is expected towards the end of the week and straw which has being put down to protect the pitch appears to be working successfully.

Connacht chief executive Gerry Kelly said: “We looked at the ground under the straw and there is no frost on the ground. We’d be very confident that the straw will continue to prevent the frost getting into the ground this week, and with a more favourable forecast for the weekend, we’re confident it will go ahead.”