Connacht sweat on Heenan fitness

Connacht’s influential young flanker Jake Heenan will be fitness tested today ahead of Saturday’s penultimate Heineken Cup fixture with Zebre.

Heenan, sidelined with a shoulder injury after Connacht’s victory over the Dragons, missed both Christmas interprovincials, but coach Pat Lam says the special project player is expected to be fit against the Italians this weekend.

Out-half Craig Ronaldson is also hoping to come through today’s session, while full-back Gavin Duffy has recovered from his shoulder strain and, alongside Frank Murphy, is available.