IRISH INTERNATIONAL QUINN Roux has emerged as a major concern for Connacht’s crucial PRO14 decider against Cardiff Blues this Saturday due to illness.
Roux (virus), Kyle Godwin (thigh) and Finlay Bealham (hand) will almost certainly miss Saturday’s Sportsground clash, although Andy Friend’s side have been boosted by the return of Bundee Aki after a rest week, while Tom Farrell is also available after an eye injury forced him off against Zebre last week.
A win for Connacht on Saturday will guarantee them a spot in next season’s Champions Cup and also qualify them for the league quarter-finals as the third placed team in Conference A, but the loss of Roux against the physical Welsh outfit is a setback.
“He has just been ill, he’s been crook for the last few weeks. We thought the break would get him over that but he has come back and he is just not right at this point in time. I’d say he is very unlikely for this weekend,” said Friend.
“It’s a real shame, for him too, because as we know he has been in the international set up this year. There’s a lot of competition in that second row spot.
Connacht will be without Quinn Roux for this weekend’s massive Pro14 clash with Cardiff. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
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Connacht were afforded a close up look at Cardiff last weekend when Munster defeated them in Cork, but their centre partnership of Rey Lee-Lo and Willis Halaholo caused huge trouble for the Munster defence.
Friend is happy to have Aki back to bolster that zone.
“Bundee is back and available. It’s really good to have him. I thought their centre pairing was excellent against Munster,” said Friend.
“We’ll pick a centre pairing that we reckon will cause them some grief and hopefully make their attacks neutral.”