CONNACHT’S international contingent are expected to return to provincial action for Saturday’s trip to Thomond Park to take on Munster in the URC (7.35pm), but the province has been already dealt an injury blow, with Mack Hansen likely to miss out on the interpro clash.

The winger, who scored his third try in nine appearances when touching down in the 35-17 win over Fiji in Dublin a fortnight ago, picked up a thigh injury in last weekend’s win over Australia, and while he has not been officially ruled out, Connacht’s Director of Rugby, Andy Friend, says he is “a long shot” to be involved.

That was the main bit of bad news coming out of camp this week, however, and it will be offset by the return of Bundee Aki, who is in line for his first appearance for the province since September after serving an eight-week ban for being sent off against the Stormers. He returned to action last weekend when coming off the bench for Ireland against the Aussies, and scored what proved to be the game-winning try.

He is likely to be joined in this weekend’s match-day squad, which will be announced at noon on Friday, by the province’s newest internationals, Cian Prendergast, who made his test bow in that win over Fiji.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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