Elwood ‘concerned’ at threadbare Connacht squad

CONNACHT coach Eric Elwood has been limited in his squad selection for tonight’s clash with Ireland due to injuries and has made only three changes from the team that lost 47-10 to Exeter Chiefs last weekend.

The western province are missing 12 players, either through injury or absence with World Cup squads.

Frank Murphy, Gavin Duffy, Miah Nikora, Brett Wilkinson, Ronan Loughney, Keith Matthews, Andrew Browne, and Dave Nolan are all on the treatment table, while Fetu Vainikolo is with the Tonga squad and Mike McCarthy is on the bench for Ireland against France.

Elwood admits he didn’t want to risk any of the borderline injury concerns ahead of their opening Rabo Direct Pro 12 fixture away to Treviso.

“We are concerned at this stage. We have two tough pre-season fixtures against Ireland today and then Saracens. Our squad is thin and bare at present. It is difficult and it’s not going to get any easier. We have to make calls — do we play them against Ireland and against Saracens when it could be putting us under pressure for Treviso?”

Clontarf’s Mick Kearney, a member of this year’s Irish U20s, joins veteran Michael Swift in the second row after Dave Nolan broke his leg against Exeter; Adrian Flavin starts at hooker with Ethienne Reynecke moving to the bench while John Muldoon returns to the backrow for TJ Anderson.

“This will a be a huge test for us,” says Elwood. “We’re up against a strong Ireland select side with players vying for World Cup places, so it’s a great opportunity for our players to test themselves at this level.”

Although Elwood was disappointed with last weekend’s defeat, he was impressed with certain aspects, particularly the set piece, despite the concession of four early penalties in the scrum.

However he was more concerned with Connacht’s inability to retain possession and their physicality at the breakdown. “We are looking for an 80 minute performance and improvements in key areas from last weekend’s game against Exeter.”