Connacht star Muldoon elated at return to action
The 30-year old suffered a knee ligament injury in the autumn for Ireland against Fiji.
He came off the bench in the 25-15 loss away to Scarlets last week and will start tonight at the Sportsground against champions Ospreys.
“It’s great to be back. Injuries are part and parcel of the game but it is always difficult to deal with them.
“But it could have been a lot worse. I spent two-and-a-half months with Frank Murphy in the gym and he has another three months ahead of him. If I had blown my cruciate completely, it would have been the full year.
“It is tough going. The injured group is in every morning at 7am and then you have to wait around until everyone else is finished.
“You are well down the list in terms of priority for physios and rehab. You get bumped around quite a bit. It can be frustrating and then to see the lads running around out on the pitch against Leinster, Biarritz, Munster and Harlequins is even worse.
“But thankfully that is now behind me and I’m looking forward towards playing my part as we make a strong finish to the season,” he said.
Teenage full-back Robbie Henshaw returns from duty with the Ireland U20 side while club captain Gavin Duffy will make his 150th appearance for the side if he comes off the bench.
CONNACHT: R Henshaw; T O’Halloran, E Griffin, K Tonetti, D Poolman; D Parks, K Marmion; B Wilkinson, J Harris-Wright, N White; M Swift, M Kearney; J Muldoon, W Faloon, E McKeon.
Replacements: E Reynecke, R Ah You, R Loughney, A Browne, J O’Connor, P O’Donohoe, M Nikora, G Duffy.
OSPREYS: R Fussell; T Habberfield, T Isaacs, J Spratt, B John; M Morgan, K Fotiali’i; D Jones, S Baldwin, C Griffiths; A Wyn Jones, J King; J Bearman, S Lewis, M Allen.
Replacements: M Dwyer, M Thomas, D Arhip, L Peers, J Thomas, A Ellis/S Davies, R Webb, R Jones.
