Friend feeling stretched thin but insists Connacht can cope 

Westerners are down to bare bones at hooker but head coach is eager to see his side bounce back as season reaches pivotal point

Hanging tight: Peter Robb, Sean Masterson and Oran McNulty during Connacht training this week.

Connacht coach Andy Friend is not planning on bringing in cover at hooker but has acknowledged his side are just one injury away from having an awkward position on their hands as they head into the business end of the season.

A hamstring injury which has ended Shane Delahunt’s season leaves Connacht with just one hooker who has ever started a game for them, and they are facing a tough few months with three clashes against Leinster and two away in South Africa against the Lions and Sharks.