Griffin And Swift Return To Training

The Connacht squad was boosted this week with the return of centre Eoin Griffin and lock Michael Swift, the province’s most-capped player, to full training.

Eoin Griffin has been out of action since the Heineken Cup pool game against Harlequins in October, but the 22-year-old has now fully recovered from his ankle operation and will be available for selection for Saturday’s derby clash with Munster in Galway.

Michael Swift has been absent for the last three weeks due to injury, however Connacht head coach Eric Elwood is confident that the 35-year-old lock will be available to face Munster.

With Nathan White and George Naoupu returning to the fold last weekend, the squad has received a timely boost ahead of their run of festive fixtures.

“It’s great to have more and more of the guys back. You want a large squad to choose from, especially for the big games like derby matches,” said Elwood.

Meanwhile, there were a few knocks and bruises picked up during last Friday night’s 17-0 loss away to Biarritz.

Danie Poolman received an accidental knee to the head in the second half but the South African centre recovered well on his return to Galway. He was rested on Monday and returned to training today.

Flanker Willie Faloon has undergone surgery for the fractured eye socket he sustained in the home game against Biarritz. He is expected to be sidelined for up to eight weeks.

Kyle Tonetti returned from a week in Germany where he underwent intensive treatment on his recurring hamstring problem.

It is hoped that the centre will return to full training early next week ahead of the second installment of the back-to-back interprovincial ties.

Elwood added: “The derby matches are always special. Everyone wants to play in these games and at Christmas time, it’s going to be a full house. It’s never an issue getting up for a game like that, we will relish the challenge.

“We’re very much looking forward to it and hopefully we can improve on our intensity levels from last week as we will certainly need it.

“When you’re playing a powerhouse like Munster you’ve got to match them physically and you’ve got to have that high level of intensity in your game.”