Dave Heffernan pictured prior to the Ireland v France game last Sunday. Heffernan is one of three Connacht players returning to the province for PRO14 game time this coming weekend. Photo: Ramsey Cardy / Sportsfile

Ireland release players to get Guinness PRO14 game time

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The Ireland coaching group will retain a 24-man panel for the two-day mini-camp on Thursday and Friday this week at the IRFU High Performance Centre at the Sport Ireland Campus.

There were no additional injury concerns following the match against France and the players (Billy Burns, Cian Healy and Iain Henderson) who were removed for HIAs will follow the appropriate protocols this week.

Twelve players are returning to their provincial bubbles to avail of game time in the Guinness PRO14 this weekend, including the trio of Bundee Aki, Ultan Dillane and Mayo native Dave Heffernan to Connacht.

Connacht will play Cardiff Blues in the PRO14 this Saturday evening in The Sportsground, Galway, with kick-off at 7.35 p.m.

Ryan Baird, Ross Byrne and Jack Conan are returning to Leinster, with Craig Casey, Andrew Conway, Shane Daly and Chris Farrell going back to Munster, and Stuart McCloskey and Tom O’Toole returning to Ulster.

The three players who provided specialist cover at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday – Harry Byrne, John Cooney and Eric O’Sullivan – have also returned to their respective provinces.

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