European rugby’s governing body has turned down an appeal from Connacht coach Pat Lam to add two extra backs to his injury-torn squad ahead of Sunday’s return visit to Newcastle in the European Challenge Cup.
With some 11 backs sidelined with injury, Lam had sought to include the Academy duo of fullback Ciaran Gaffney and outhalf Conor McKeon, but the EPCR cannot "bend" its rules.
“No conversation [with EPCR], just an email,” says Lam. “No, the rules are the rules, and we only had the one change available in the frontrow.”
Lam has now opted to utilise that option, registering another Academy player, Saba Meunargia for prop Denis Buckley, who is expected to be sidelined for eight weeks after ankle surgery. He had already added Shane O'Leary for last weekend's Challenge Cup third round against Newcastle in the Sportsground, but, having lost fullback Tiernan O'Halloran before kick-off and replacement Dave McSharry with concussion after just 30 seconds on the pitch, Lam continues to struggle with his backline options.
“It’s not great. Hopefully we will get some more guys [back], but if not we will have to go with just 21 or 22 players. Hopefully we will have 23 at the end of the week, and if not, it is just the way it is – 21, I remember we used to do it in the old days. We just have to get on with it.
“There are things you can control, some you cannot, and we have a big game this weekend. It’s quite a massive game for us where we sit. If we get a win this weekend away from home it sets us up nicely. We can put it away and get back to the Pro 12 in a strong position, where a defeat is a door for the other team,” he says. “We have to focus all our energy on what we have.”
Lam says these back-to-back games will test Connacht’s mental strength.
“These games are always interesting, they are like Test matches. Newcastle will know they could have got the win and we know there are things we did well and some we didn’t do so well. There is no surprise element, and now, when you go into their back yard, it is a really good mental test and part of all players’ development. It is about what we can do better this week knowing they know what is coming.”
Lam applauded his youngsters for their 25-10 victory which keeps them top of Pool One.
“It was a big week if you look at the six Academy players and a lot of players who had not had much game time. I was so pleased after the game, it could potentially have been a disaster for us, but it’s in line with a lot of things that have happened this year.
“The statement that came through from the players’ review was that we were comfortable, but not clinical, and that sums it up, and we want to be clinical in everything we do.”
With 10 backs fully fit, including Craig Ronaldson – who had returned from concussion – Lam is hoping fullback Tiernan O'Halloran (quad), who signed this week for another two years, and Matt Healy (calf heamatoma) will be good to go, while lock Andrew Browne (hand) and Eoghan Masterson (thumb fracture) are available for selection. However he will not risk Bundee Aki (ankle), John Muldoon (calf) and Ronan Loughney (back) if they have "continuing niggles", particularly with the pending visit of Ulster on St Stephen's Day.
Openside Jake Heenan, not part of the registered European squad, returned to full training this week after shoulder reconstruction, and could be in line to take part in the Christmas interprovincials.
“Hopefully Jake can get back in there. He has returned to full training and the RTP (return to perform) people have done a good job in progressing his training in the gym, around the field, and his contact training. There is a long way to go, and deliberately we will not rush him, but make sure he has all the boxes ticked off.”
