Hip Surgery Sidelines Robb Until December

The Connacht medical team have issued the below update on the squad ahead of Saturday’s historic GUINNESS PRO14 clash with South Africa’s Southern Kings at the Sportsground (kick-off 7.35pm).

Tiernan O’Halloran has returned to team training following knee surgery at the end of last season, while fellow Ireland international Finlay Bealham, who sustained a head injury against Glasgow Warriors, is currently following the return-to-play protocols.

Andrew Browne is rehabilitating from an Achilles tendon injury and expected to be out for a number of weeks. Naulia Dawai is continuing his recovery from a hamstring injury and is aiming to return to full training in the coming weeks.

Caolin Blade will reintegrate into team training this week as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury in the pre-season training game against Munster.

Meanwhile, Peter Robb underwent surgery for an ongoing hip issue earlier this week and will be out of action until December. Fellow backs Niyi Adeolokun is continuing his recovery from knee surgery under the supervision of the medical and fitness teams.

Commenting on the loss of young centre Robb for the next few months and O’Halloran’s impending return to action, Connacht head coach Kieran Keane said: “Peter was struggling a little bit and we could have managed it, he came to me to let me know he was keen to get things cleaned up and we had a good conversation around that and we agreed it was probably impacting on him mentally that he was carrying that niggle so we agreed to go and get it done.

“So, he has had it done and it remains to be seen how it will manifest itself because when you go under the knife there are no guarantees, are there? We just hope for the best for Peter.

“We will be guided by how Tiernan pulls up this week, he’s getting fairly well treated at the moment and we just hope that his knee is okay. Structurally it is fine so we will put a little bit more pressure into his joints and see how he comes through.”

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