Connacht counting the cost of Harlequins defeat

Following Saturday's physical Heineken Cup clash with Harlequins, the Connacht Rugby medical team have reported several fresh injury concerns.

In the backs Robbie Henshaw, Tiernan O'Halloran and Mata Fifita, as well as the centre partnership of Eoin Griffin and Dave McSharry, all picked up knocks from Saturday night's defeat to Quins.

Similarly, up front, Mike McCarthy and Adrian Flavin are also nursing injuries from the weekend.

Centre Danie Poolman will train with the squad today ahead of Saturday's RaboDirect PRO12 game against the reigning champions Ospreys.

The 23-year-old South African returned from a week in Germany where he underwent intensive treatment on his hamstring.

Meanwhile, Andrew Browne, Gavin Duffy, Matt Healy, Mark McCrea, Paul O'Donohoe, Ethienne Reynecke and Kyle Tonetti still remain unavailable for selection due to injury.

Head Coach Eric Elwood admits the busy European schedule has taken a toll on his squad and the former Irish flyhalf knows the Ospreys represent another physically demanding challenge.

"It’s been a busy fortnight with two teams competing in Europe - Heineken and British and Irish Cup - and with this our ninth consecutive match weekend there is obviously a big demand on our squad and we are looking at some injuries,” Elwood stated.

“But it's back to Rabo duty this week, and we're very much looking forward to the Ospreys game.

“Over the years, we've had huge physical encounters with the Welsh side and we'll be expecting the same this weekend."