Connacht’s Heineken Cup chances improve with Yachvili injury

Biarritz and France scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili could face up to three months on the sideline after being told he needs surgery on a slipped disc.

By Declan Whooley

With Biarritz in the same Pool as Connacht, this can only help Eric Elwood’s side's chances of challenging for a knock-out place in Europe’s premier competition. The 31-year-old is the key playmaker for the Basque outfit, and was on the losing Heineken Cup sides in 2006 and 2010.

Yachvili had been taking pain killers for several weeks before getting the diagnosis. “I have been to see a specialist who has told me that surgery is necessary,” he said.

Biarritz’s loss is certainly Connacht’s gain, and though he will miss just two Heineken Cup games, including a home tie against Zebre, it is the opening fixture away to Harlequins on October 13^th where his experience would be telling.

The Westerners still face a tough task to get out of their Pool but as the saying goes 'every little helps'.

His replacement in the Biarritz side will be Yann Lesgourges, with the experienced Julien Peyrelongue providing cover in the number nine jersey.