Bundee Aki in race to be fit as Connacht look to build on impressive Leinster success 

Connacht's Bundee Aki is hoping to fit for the clash with Munster. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie

Connacht are waiting for positive signs that Bundee Aki will be fit to face Munster in Galway this Saturday as Andy Friend urged his players to make their winning performance in upsetting Leinster at the RDS last weekend as a new benchmark.

The inter-provincial derby is already a must-win game for both sides at the top of Guinness PRO14 Conference B now competition organisers have shortened the 2020-21 campaign and determined only the table-toppers after 16 rounds progress to this season’s final. Connacht are eight points behind Munster after eight games apiece so the return of Ireland midfield linchpin Aki for the first time since the European defeat at home to Bristol Bears on December 20 would be an undoubted boost against a side likely to recall Damian de Allende and Chris Farrell to their centre positions.