O'Connor ruled out for Connacht

Flanker Johnny O'Connor has lost his fitness battle and misses out on Connacht's Challenge Cup clash with Rovigo at the Sportsground…

Flanker Johnny O'Connor has lost his fitness battle and misses out on Connacht's Challenge Cup clash with Rovigo at the Sportsground.

The former Ireland player picked up a calf injury in last weekend's 35-30 victory away to the Italian outfit and failed to make it into Michael Bradley's 14-man squad for the return fixture.

Centre Keith Mathews is still a doubt and Mel Deane has been brought in as cover in midfield, while Brian McGovern is also named as prop Ronan Loughney picked up a knock in last week's encounter.

CONNACHT (Squad):A Browne, K Campbell, F Carr, S Cronin, M Deane, T Donnelly, G Duffy, A Farley, A Flavin, D Gannon, J Hearty, I Keatley, R Loughney, J Lyne, K Matthews, M McCarthy, B McGovern, R Morris, F Murphy, T Nathan, R Ofisa, D Riordan, M Swift, B Wilkinson.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • What’s making headlines in the rugby world? Listen to The Counter Ruck podcast with Nathan Johns

  • Sign up for The Counter Ruck rugby digest to read Gerry Thornley’s weekly view from the press box