Mastersoncomesfullcircleafterhorrorinjury
TO understand how far Eoghan Masterson has come in the last 18 months, it’s important to cast your mind back to February of last year when he suffered such a serious knee injury that he had to learn to walk again, never mind step back out onto a rugby pitch.
This afternoon, the 24-year-old captains Connacht for the first time and in doing so, he caps a remarkable journey back from the brink of retirement.
Masterson was stretchered off during his side’s PRO12 game against Zebre in February last year and when the initial worst fears were confirmed, countless hours were spent rehabbing.
The damage he did to his knee is the stuff of nightmares but the way he has fought his way back is a testament to his character.
“It was a bit of a surprise getting the captaincy but it’s a massive honour,” said back-row Masterson, who leads Connacht against Worcester Warriors today.
“I only found recently so it hasn’t affected me too much so far. I’m hoping it won’t change my routine too much.
“We have plenty of experience and leaders on the pitch so hopefully too much won’t change and we kick on again.
“It’s great to be back at the Sportsground after being on the road for a few weeks and the lads are all really looking forward to getting back out in front of the home crowd and hopefully kicking on from last week’s performance.”
Last week’s impressive win over Oyonnax in Geneva has rejuvenated the squad; it also gave another glimpse of what the Connacht supporters can expect under Kieran Keane.
Everyone within the province will admit that playing in the Challenge Cup is not where they want to be but there is an added incentive to do well in this year’s tournament as the winners will automatically qualify for season’s Champions Cup.
To that end, it is somewhat surprising to see Keane rest a host of front liners, including regular skipper John Muldoon, Ultan Dillane and Finlay Bealham.
As well as that, Andrew Deegan who scored 18 points in the thumping win over Oyonnax, is dropped to the ‘A’ team.
The new Connacht boss may be mindful of the fact that Worcester don’t generally travel well and in fact, have lost their last eight games on the road in the tournament.
Club captain Donncha O’Callaghan starts on the bench but is likely to get a warm welcome from the Sportsground when he enters the fray.
Confusion surrounding Peter Stringer’s future at the club has been rife since the legendary former Ireland scrum-half was left out of Worcester’s 41-man European squad.
Stringer who turns 40 in December, joined the club on a sixmonth deal in July but has made just one start and four substitute appearances for the Premiership strugglers who are rooted to the bottom of the table.
Bundee Aki, Tiernan O’Halloran and Matt Healy all come into the backline to bolster Connacht’s attacking threat and Masterson has urged his side to ensure that they make home advantage count.
“It’s still early stages but both teams are sitting on top of the table, whoever wins will give themselves a bit of daylight,” he said. “Being at home is a massive advantage for us and we’re hoping to use that and finish the first two rounds on top.”