Connacht are preparing to be without fly-half Miah Nikora for the next five months after he underwent shoulder surgery.
Nikora picked up the injury against Wasps in a pre-season friendly and is set to be out for a prolonged spell. Connacht boss Pat Lam confirmed the news, saying: "Miah's news is a big blow to us. We don't have someone of his experience alongside Dan Parks, but we have to move on and give the other guys an opportunity."