Connacht's Santiago Cordero determined to finish season after long road to recovery

Disaster struck in Santiago Cordero's second training session with Connacht.

Last August, the Argentinean suffered a "significant knee injury" and was ruled out for a prolonged period, just days after arriving from Bordeaux.

No time to settle into new surroundings, no time to get to know his team-mates and no time to impress the Clan Stand.

A 50-cap Puma, Cordero was known on these shores mostly for helping dump Ireland out of the World Cup in 2015.

He was a marquee signing, "a real statement of intent by the club," said Pete Wilkins back in March 2023 when the move was announced.

But as Connacht meandered through the season, Cordero was working his socks off in the gym, determined to play a role.

"Finally, the day came, I was very happy," said the 30-year-old of his 18-minute cameo in Connacht's BKT URC loss to Stormers 11 days ago, their last game at the Dexcom Stadium before it undergoes a significant refurbishment.

"First of all, very happy to be able to play and happy to recover well.

"Not very happy with the result but there’s nothing we can do now.

"It was very weird. I knew it was going to be my first and my last in this place because everything is going to be gone, so I couldn’t get used to that normal feeling."

He would have loved to introduce himself properly to the Connacht faithful with a match-winning cameo but it wasn’t to be.

"It wasn’t much [time]. I think it’s a good thing because I thought I was going to finish dead after the game," he said.

"I just can’t wait to be back and play again, the more the better for me. I know the season is finishing in a couple of weeks but I feel like the season is starting."

To get back for any part of the season, which will come to an end if Connacht don’t take five points off