Bundee a doubt for Connacht
CONNACHT have only beaten Munster five times in the professional era but it looks like they will be without Bundee Aki as they bid to make it four wins from five home matches against their neighbours.
A combination of minutes clocked up and a knock sustained against Ulster last week could see the Irish centre miss out on a key PRO14 clash at The Sportsground on Saturday.
Aki crossed for a try as Connacht bounced back from their heart-breaking defeat away to Leinster by putting Ulster to the sword last week.
Now they are hoping to make it two festive wins from three and climbing above Muster in Conference A.
Connacht will be still without injured full-back Tiernan O’halloran but winger Matt Healy is back in contention and defence coach Pete Wilkins insists the squad is in reasonably good shape.
“We are in a pretty good state overall injury-wise,” he said. “Obviously the long-term guys are still plugging away in the background but in terms of everyone who fronted last week, they are all available for selection.
“We have to monitor Bundee’s minutes over this period which is fair enough. He took a little bit of a knock on the weekend so he is one who is doubtful.
“He’s doubtful at this stage but there’s a clean bill of health for everyone else which is positive for what was such an attritional and physical game.”
Aki’s situation means centre Tom Daly is poised to make a first appearance for the province after his temporary move from Leinster.