Connacht hit by Aki injury blow

Connacht have been stunned by the news that star centre Bundee Aki will miss up to two months after having surgery on his ankle.

Outgoing Connacht boss Pat Lam revealed the blow while naming his team for their trip to Ravenhill for Friday night's clash with Ulster.

The New Zealander had been suffering from an ongoing problem and the club and player have decided to act now meaning Aki will be out until around the end of February.

"This week has probably been the most challenging I’ve had at Connacht Rugby with all the injuries, sickness and the group only coming together yesterday," Lam said.

"Losing both Bundee [Aki] and Conor [Carey] to long-term injuries is a big blow especially with our injury crisis at prop and midfield. With 21 injuries in our squad it’s an opportunity for the next player still standing to come in and nail his role in our structures and systems.

"I was really proud of the boys with the work they put in last week and the character they showed in adversity to grind out a big win.

"We’ll be looking for the same again this Friday night, albeit in a much tougher environment at a sold out Kingspan Stadium and against a quality side like Ulster.

“We know we don’t have a good record up in Belfast but that just means this is a huge opportunity for us to create something special as a group. We’re really looking forward to the challenge.”

Connacht: Tiernan O’Halloran; Niyi Adeolokun, Rory Parata, Danie Poolman, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Quinn Roux, James Cannon; Sean O’Brien, Nepia Fox-Matamua, (C) John Muldoon.

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