Muldoon doubt for Connacht

CHALLENGE CUP:CONNACHT COACH Michael Bradley is sweating on a string of injury worries ahead of his side's biggest match of the season.

Captain John Muldoon is one of a host of frontline players who are struggling to be fit for Saturday’s Challenge Cup quarter-final against Bourgoin at the Sportsground.

Muldoon missed the 22-21 win over Edinburgh on Friday and remains a big concern with a groin injury as Connacht bid to nail down a third semi-final spot.

Centres Niva Ta’auso (knee) and Keith Matthews (hamstring), both of whom also missed the Edinburgh win, are also doubtful, along with winger Liam Bibo (calf).

The problems are not confined to the backs. Prop Robbie Morris (calf), number eight George Naoupu (hamstring) and flanker Ray Ofisa (vertigo), all of whom missed the Edinburgh match, remain on the casualty list.

“We will wait as long as we can during the week to give them the best chance of being fit,” said Bradley. “It’s part and parcel of the game, so we will just have to wait for progress reports.

“It is a huge game for us and we are all looking forward to it. We are going into it on the back of some good form so hopefully the injuries will clear up as a much as possible.”

Connacht will go into the match on the back of a seven-match unbeaten run at the Sportsground which stretches back to September.