Dec 11,2024
Connacht could be without Shayne Bolton for an extended period, with the winger set to see a specialist regarding his foot injury.
The Irish-qualified South African picked up the issue in the province's 28-14 defeat to the Bulls just over a week ago, while he sat out Saturday’s 43-12 win over Zebre in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
The province are yet to determine the extent of his injury, but the 24-year-old looks likely to miss the province's next few games.
It’s yet another setback for the promising wing, whose time at Connacht has been blighted by injuries, limiting him to just 19 appearances since joining in the summer of 2021.
Originally a centre, Bolton caught the eye last season when Pete Wilkins redeployed him on the wing, and that form was recognised by national coaching staff, who called him into the Emerging Ireland squad for the tour of South Africa earlier this season.
A bad laceration on his knee saw him miss out on that tour, and the Connacht defence coach Scott Fardy is hopeful this latest setback doesn’t sideline him long-term.
"So really disappointed for him around those injuries. I think he plays the game at such intensity that it obviously ends in a few injuries for him," Fardy (below) said, ahead of Sunday’s Challenge Cup away trip to Perpignan.
"He's been great, hasn't he? I think he's excellent, and he was on the edge of that Ireland squad as well in November before getting injured again.
"Really disappointed that he has that current injury, and hopefully it's not as bad as first thought.
"But hopefully we'll get him back sooner or later because he's such a crucial part of what we do in attack and defence."
In better news, second row Joe Joyce is available again after recovering from a foot injury of his own, while Denis Buckley has also recovered from a rib injury which kept him out of the win against Zebre.
Out-half Josh Ioane and centre Piers O’Conor will also miss out on this weekend’s trip to the south of France with respective ankle and hamstring issues.
Connacht’s Ireland international contingent are available for selection again this week, having been rested last week following the Autumn Nations Series, but Fardy was coy when asked if any of Cian Prendergast, Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham or Mack Hansen would be involved this week, with URC Interpros against Leinster and Ulster on the horizon either side of Christmas.
"I’m not sure yet, they’re training away with us at the moment. We’ll see how we go.
"There'll be a few changes, but we're going over there to go and get a result.
"I think we'll make changes if necessary, but I think, as a whole, we’ll be pretty similar [to last week]," Fardy added.
Saturday’s bonus-point win against Zebre puts Connacht top of Pool 1 after the opening round of games, while Perpignan, who are 11th in the French Top14, drew their opener 20-20 against the Cheetahs in Amsterdam.
While Connacht have struggled away to French opposition in the Champions Cup, their Challenge Cup form against Top14 sides is an altogether different story, with 11 wins in a row, and five of those coming in France.
And Fardy, who played several times away in France during his time at Leinster, believes away games in the French rugby heartlands can be a formative experience for young players.
"It was some of the great experiences of my career going down to France when I was playing for Leicester and, obviously, playing France in Test matches as well," The Australian added.
"I think it's still a massive part of the game, and it's just going away and doing those things. Going to South Africa the same, those kind of away day trips are great for a young squad, great for different guys getting experience. It's something you always remember.
"I think it's a really special part of the game. It's a huge challenge for us to get points away from home, which is massive in France. You can see even in their own home leagues that it's a struggle to win away from home."
