Connacht boosted by Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham availability

Connacht are set to be boosted by the return of both Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham for this Sunday's Challenge Cup Round of 16 trip to French side Pau.

Both players were give additional time off following Ireland's Six Nations campaign, with the province losing twice in a row to drop to 10th place in the BKT United Rugby Championship table.

However, as attention now turns to Europe, and their Challenge Cup last-16 trip to the south of France, head coach Pete Wilkins says the pair will be available to return.

"They were training at the back end of last week and will be fit for selection," the Connacht coach said on Tuesday.

"It's huge for us, I think both are obviously massive personalities in terms of the energy they give to the group and how popular they are around the place and they're massive in that sense, culturally.

"Then, they bring that rugby intellect and that experience of big games and knockout games, and it's great for us to have them on board. I think they'll play a key part, not just on the weekend, but in our whole preparation leading up to that."

The Six Nations winners will be among eight players who are back in full training this week after injury.

Out-half JJ Hanrahan (above) and flanker Conor Oliver have both come through the return to play protocols after concussion in their defeat to the Lions on 23 March, while scrum-half Caolin Blade, who missed last week's loss to Benetton, has shaken off a knee injury.

Hooker Dylan Tierney Martin, utility back John Porch, and back row Sean O'Brien are also available for selection after overcoming injuries, but Byron Ralston, Sean Jansen, Michael McDonald and Diarmuid Kilgallen have been ruled out.

Sunday's opponents Section Paloise (Pau) also come into this weekend's