IN Joe Bergin’s mind the reason for the paucity of quality in Galway’s first-half performance against Sligo last Sunday is clear.

GO WEST, young man. That’s the advice from Connacht hooker Seán Cronin for the many fledgling rugby professionals who find themselves struggling to make the senior squads in the provinces of Munster, Leinster and Ulster.

IT’S a long way from Motootua on the Pacific island of Samoa, to Galway on this Atlantic island of ours.

NEW Connacht coach Eric Elwood, who will take over from Michael Bradley at the end of the season, said the side need to show ambition and raise the bar if they are to progress.

DAVID HUMPHREYS returned to training yesterday having recovered from a nasty facial injury sustained during Ireland’s opening test against Japan in Osaka on Sunday.