However he required surgery for a shoulder injury which caused him to missed five months earlier in the season.

And although he made his return for Glasgow a month ago in a 22-20 defeat to Munster, Beattie is still to feature in the Scots’ faltering Six Nations campaign.

Glasgow travelled to Connacht still searching for a first away win in the league but instead dropped below the Galway side into 11th after conceding five tries.

And young fly-half Ruaridh Jackson, who was targeting the game to heap more pressure on Dan Parks also disappointed.

While Beattie at least managed a full 80 minutes in a losing cause, Jackson was hauled off midway through the second half having been sin-binned in the first.

He was given his marching orders when he tackled Connacht winger Brian Touhy without the ball and the Irish side took advantage with a try from Fionn Carr.

Andy Robinson will name his side later this week for the visit of Ireland having lost their last four at home against the men in green.