Rugby: Heenan looking likely for start in Ireland

Northland's Jake Heenan looks set to return at flanker for defending champions Connacht in the Guinness PRO12 competition. Photo/Getty Images

Former New Zealand Under-20s captain Jake Heenan is set to return from injury for Irish club Connacht.

The Whangarei Boys High School alum has recovered from a hand injury suffered during pre-season to take part in their Guinness Pro12 clash against the struggling Scarlets on Sunday. Connacht, despite being defending champions, have failed to register a point so far in the competition.

Head coach Pat Lam will be happy to be able to call upon two important members of his squad when they face the Welsh side.

An injury update issued by the Pro12 champions has confirmed that Quinn Roux and Jake Heenan will both be available for this weekend's game at Parc y Scarlets, where Connacht will be aiming for their first win of the season.

After beginning their title defence with home defeats to Glasgow Warriors and Ospreys, Connacht's game away to Zebre last Sunday was abandoned at half-time due to adverse weather conditions, with the visitors trailing 22-10 at the time.

Roux, who made his Ireland debut during the summer tour of South Africa, will integrate fully into training this week and is available for selection. The 25-year-old South African-born lock has been out with a hip injury.

Lam said he appreciated the call made by the referee to abandon their clash with fellow strugglers Zebre as the heavens opened and the pitch flooded.

"It was the correct decision, safety is the first priority. Nobody expected the lightning and the rain and the hail and then once it went past 20 minutes, it is out of the control of both teams," he said.

"But safety has to be the first call, we all know that. So, it's a matter of refixing the game and going from there. Sometimes there are things out of your control."