Robbie Henshaw to miss Connacht’s vital La Rochelle trip

Connacht head to play La Rochelle on Saturday needing a win to keep their hopes of progression into the quarter finals of the European Challenge Cup alive and they must do so without star man Robbie Henshaw.

Henshaw sprained his ankle in last weekend’s 24-33 defeat to Exeter Chiefs at the Sportsground, and the Ireland international won’t be fit in time for the trip to western France.

Coach Pat Lam is already without Bundee Aki, who was recently ruled out for up to ten weeks after requiring ankle surgery, and with Dave McSharry following return to play protocols after picking up a head injury in the defeat to the Chiefs Connacht could be facing a midfield crisis.

Outhalf Craig Ronaldson was forced to withdraw from last Sunday's game after straining a quad muscle in the warm up, and he will be out of action for another two to three weeks.

Tiernan O'Halloran and Jake Heenan will play for Connacht Eagles against Germany on Saturday after recovering from long-term injuries, while Nathan White is available for first team selection after he came through his first game back with the Eagles last week.