Connacht’s Colm Reilly facing 12 weeks out after undergoing ankle surgery

The 24-year-old damaged ligaments and as a result, will be sidelined until late February/early March.

That leaves Connacht short in a key position, with Caolin Blade, Michael McDonald and the Academy’s Matthew Devine in contention to feature in Friday night’s Champions Cup opener against Bordeaux at the Sportsground.

Tiernan O’Halloran is also set to miss out due to a foot injury. The veteran full-back will undergo a scan, as will lock Oisin Dowling who suffered a shoulder issue in last weekend’s last-gasp defeat to Leinster.

In more positive news for Connacht, as well as Bundee Aki being available to face Bordeaux, Gavin Thornbury and Shayne Bolton are back in full training.

Thornbury has been lining out with Blackrock in the Energia All-Ireland League (AIL) in recent weeks following a long-term knee injury, while Bolton is back after a serious hamstring issue.