April return on cards for Connacht's Mack Hansen

Connacht have provided a positive injury update on Mack Hansen with the Ireland international expected back at the end of April.

The Australian dislocated his shoulder at the start of the year in Connacht's URC win over Munster and missed out on Ireland's winning Six Nations campaign.

Speaking last week the 25-year-old said he was targeting "around May...definitely before the end of the season" for a comeback.

Ahead of Saturday’s BKT URC home clash with the Lions, Connacht said he remains "on track to be available for selection from the end of April".

The province also confirmed that long-term absentee Santiago Cordero is expected to be available at the end of May.

The 30-year-old Argentina winger (below) was injured in training last August and has yet to play for the Westerners.

Pete Wilkins’ side have won their last three games in the league and sit in seventh place in the table on 33 points, one behind Munster.

"Everyone had a week off after that Scarlets game," said Wilkins.

"It probably wasn't needed in terms of the most recent week we had off after the 13-game block, but it was pretty important to give guys a chance to refresh for this block which will be fairly meaty.

"We had a training week last week and started our focus on the Lions that Thursday and then into a normal rhythm of a game this week.

"We have a big physical South African team coming to Dexcom Stadium followed by two tough trips away to Benetton and Pau [in the Challenge Cup] so there are big games to come in this block already.

"I think the outside world will be expecting us to get the job done this week but we are really aware of how big a challenge this game will be.

"We won't be taking anything for granted."

Meanwhile, Colm Reilly (ankle), Shane Jennings