Nel pays credit to Connacht youngsters’ unbeaten run

THE unsung heroes have been given most of the credit for Connacht’s storming of the Celtic League.

Top names Warwick Waugh, Eric Peters and Eric Elwood may have brought the experience and guile to Steph Nel's side, but the youngsters have led the charge in a five match unbeaten run.

The fifth straight win at Bridgend last Saturday leaves them as the only 100% team left and in their case.

Coach Steph Nel reeled off a list of players who have emerged from the games with top credits: "Eric Elwood has been our stalwart and we have added Eric Peters and Warwick Waugh, but we also have others like Tim Allnutt, Darren Yapp, Wayne Munn and Marnus Uijs to help the younger players along.

"Johnny O'Connor, Gavin Duffy, Peter Bracken, Damien Browne, John O'Sullivan, Shane Moore, Ted Robinson, Mark McHugh, Ronan McCormack and Jerry Flannery are among those who represent the future."

Nel hopes to hold onto his rising stars: "I said from the word go the aim was to create a happy working environment for the players and obviously winning has helped that a lot," he said.

"I have no problem with any Province offering me young players to gain experience and exposure of playing top flight games. I know money talks but at the end of the day it is always going to be the player's choice as to where he plays his rugby."

For now, Nels is concentrating on the game with Pontypridd in Galway on Saturday. He warned: "this promises to be our toughest match. Pontypridd have a superb pack and they have an adventurous style of rugby. They are a much stronger outfit than last season."

But he is hopeful of a positive result: "There is tremendous potential in this Connacht squad because our main principle is the team comes first not individuals."

Meanwhile, the introduction of bonus points in the League has resulted in an intriguing finish to this season's pool rounds. All teams can earn a possible 10 points in the final two Pool rounds, meaning only Welsh sides Caerphilly, Ebbw Vale and Newport are out of contention for the quarter-finals, although Borders and defending champions Leinster require small miracles.

Connacht have secured a playoff but need points from their tough final games to guarantee a home match.

Edinburgh, Neath and Munster are fighting tooth and nail to top Pool A, with the Scottish side having arguably the easiest run in. Edinburgh travel to Welsh minnows Ebbw Vale before hosting Neath. Neath, who have conceded a miserly 59 points in five matches, host Munster in Round 6, while the Irish side host Caerphilly in the final round and should secure five points against the Virginia Park side.

Ulster, Swansea and Llanelli are battling for the final Pool A quarter-final spot, and the loser of this week's Whites-Scarlets derby at Stradey Park is out of contention. Ulster, meanwhile, are away to Caerphilly and finish with a home match against Llanelli.

At the bottom end of the Pool, Ebbw Vale and Caerphilly will provide nuisance value as teams above them strive for bonus points. Ebbw Vale host Edinburgh and travel to Swansea, while Caerphilly host Ulster and travel to Munster.

In Pool B, Pontypridd and Glasgow will feel they've done enough to join Connacht in the final eight, but need victories to guarantee a home match. Cardiff host Bridgend this weekend, with the winner likely to earn the fourth spot.

Bridgend, still reeling from Saturday's one-point loss to Connacht, host Leinster in their final match.

Defending champions Leinster have lost four on the trot, and face a massive task to make the next stage.

They have their big guns back from international duties, and try-laden victories over winless Newport and Bridgend will take them to 18 points, which could be enough. If Cardiff lose to Pontypridd and Bridgend, and Leinster beat Bridgend, the Lions could snatch the last spot in Pool B.

Celtic League 2002/03 round 6: Friday: Llanelli v Swansea, 7.05; Borders v Glasgow, 7.30; Leinster v Newport, Donnybrook, 7.35.

Saturday: Ebbw Vale v Edinburgh, 2.30; Caerphilly v Ulster, 2.30, Neath v Munster, 5.30; Cardiff v Bridgend, Cardiff, Connacht v Pontypridd.