Connacht have confirmed that scrum-half Kieran Marmion will miss this weekend’s Champions Cup opening round fixture against Montpellier.
The Irish international is said to be suffering with a back injury and could miss between three to four weeks, meaning he will certainly be absent for next weekend’s trip to Toulouse as well as possibly being out for some PRO14 games too.
It is the latest set-back for Marmion, who was also omitted from the Irish Rugby World Cup squad. There is also concern among Connacht fans that the 27-year-old could leave the province soon as reports continue to link him with a move to English Premiership side Saracens, but it remains to be seen whether those rumours are in any way true.
He joins a growing injury list at the club with the likes of Gavin Thornbury, Sean O’Brien and Quinn Roux all missing from the second-row alone causing head coach Andy Friend to call in short-term signings in Peter McCabe, Paddy McAllister, Niall Murray, Cormac Daly and Brumbies academy starlet Will Goddard.
However, there is some more welcome news for Connacht supporters with star second-row Ultan Dillane set to make his return to the starting line-up this week according to Friend, while former Irish U20 Cillian Gallagher will most likely make his debut in the competition following an impressive display against Leinster last Friday.
“We have a few injuries in one key position at the moment, but we are going to get those men back in dribs and drabs. Ultan is back this week which is pleasing, so we’ll see how the next few weeks play out and we’ll make some calls if we need to after that. I thought Cillian Gallagher was one that gave us lots of energy out there on Friday night against Leinster. That’s all you can ever ask is that he gives you that. His accuracy and his decision making will come with time but I thought he was good. It is good to have him fit and back,” he said.
Connacht do also have the likes of Bundee Aki and Jack Carty back in their squad following their World Cup exploits with Ireland, with the duo also playing during Connacht’s game against their rivals.
It looked a tough task to defeat Montpellier with a full squad never mind a depleted one, but with the men in green at home anything is possible.
