Time for the West to awake, declares new boss Elwood

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.

And the former Irish international, who was unveiled as the new coach of the western province at the Sportsground yesterday, said that he would be challenging players to bring Connacht up to a new level.

“It is a big challenge but I’m looking forward to it. I never stood back from a challenge before.

“We have got to change the mindset but we will only change it with results. To achieve that, we need everything right on and off the field,” said Elwood, who has been appointed for one season only because of an ongoing review of Connacht by the IRFU.

The chief executive of Connacht Rugby, Gerry Kelly, said that the review of the region was primarily to find a sustainable model for the province and that the process should be viewed as a positive step.

“The timing of the review and the renewing of contracts dictated that contract extensions are just for a year, but what is being worked at here is a sustainable plan into the future.

“We are working closely with the union to achieve this and there are areas, such as spectator facilities at the Sportsground, which are part of it,” said Kelly.

Elwood, who brought the curtain down on a 17-year playing career in 2005 and has been assistant coach to Bradley since, said that he was aware of the ongoing discussions between Connacht and the IRFU.

“The branch went to the union and they are working hard together. We need to make sure Connacht is one of four provinces and not a situation where it is three plus one,” said Elwood.

“Professional sport comes down to money and we need to make sure we are in a position to challenge,” said the 41-year old.

Elwood said he would bring plenty of passion to the job. But he admitted: “That’ll only get you so far. You need the back-up staff, the support off the field and a good rapport with the players. We will continue to bring young players through from the province and from all over Ireland and if they are good enough, they will get their chance.

“I saw it when I was playing we were often treated as second-class citizens.

“We need to show ambition, take it forward and challenge each other. We need to get off the bottom of that bloody table.

“It can be small things, like fighting back if we go 10 points behind and making sure we at least leave a game with a bonus point. Everyone has to challenge each other and we will get results if we raise the bar,” said Elwood, who made 168 appearances for Connacht.

He said that the people of Galway and Connacht needed to come out and support the side in greater numbers.

“There are about 2,000 diehards there who are as good supporters as any team has but we need to increase that number and get more people behind the team.

“There is a lot to be done on and off the pitch but I am really looking forward to it.

“I got into coaching towards the end of my playing career and I am grateful to Brads (Michael Bradley) for giving me the opportunity to get involved at this level.

“I have learned a lot over the past four or five years and am really looking forward to it, but there is a lot of rugby to be played this season and that is what we will be concentrating on now,” added Elwood.