Connacht struggle for numbers but insist Aki and Carty be rested

Connacht coach Andy Friend says he was unable to recall Jack Carty and Bundee Aki to solve their injury crisis, but he thinks Connacht will see the benefits of the break afforded to his Ireland duo in the coming weeks.

Irish Rugby’s player welfare plan dictated that players who were part of the World Cup squad had to take two consecutive games off over Christmas, and despite struggling to make up the numbers at training today the province did not seek an early return for Carty and Aki.