Andy Friend is adamant that Bundee Aki won't be leaving Connacht for Munster next season, dismissing the speculation as "paper talk".
Not for the first time in his Connacht career, the Ireland centre has been linked with a move for the Reds - and his current omission from the westerners' starting line-up has added fuel to the fire, with the 32-year-old not featuring in the last three fixtures despite being available.
However Friend, the Connacht director of rugby, is confident there is no truth to the speculation as Aki begins preparations with Ireland's squad ahead of the Six Nations.
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"I've no doubt he'll be here," said Friend. "It's all just paper talk as far as I'm aware.
"He's certainly not surplus (to requirements), as we know he's away for the next five weeks with Six Nations, and the ideal scenario is that he has a great Six Nations, he comes back and is raring to go and playing his best footy for our last five or more games."
Aki was absent for last weekend's final Challenge Cup pool loss against Newcastle, a result that mean Connacht will be on the road for the knock-outs.
However Friend backed the decision to leave the experienced backline star out. "We picked that team based upon form, based upon what we felt was right for that weekend, and we didn't get the job done which is very disappointing," said the Aussie.
"We've got to own that. At the time we selected the team, it was the right team."
Friend is hopeful that skipper Jack Carty will be available for Saturday's URC clash with the Lions at the Sportsground on Saturday after missing the Newcastle clash with a knock.
However Dave Heffernan (knee) and Alex Wooton (return to play protocols) are ruled out, along with Byron Ralston, who will see a specialist after suffering an ankle injury.
Realistically, Connacht are looking at winning all their remaining six URC games to have a shot at making the play-offs.
Friend feels that kind of scenario can bring out the best in his squad.
"It's when we know that we have to win, we have to fight," he said. "We should be knowing that all the time, it's not an excuse, it needs to become part of our mental approach.
"Every game's got to be a must win, it's not, 'let's turn up and see how we go'.
"We need to bring that edge and when we've been explicit in delivering that, that these games are must wins, we tend to get a performance. Maybe we've got to do that."
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Connacht hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin has signed a three year deal to remain with the westerners.
"It was a no-brainer for me to sign on for three more years so I'm delighted to be staying on," he said.
"It’ll be an exciting three years for everyone at the club and I can’t wait to play my part in that."
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