Elwood confident Leinster will deliver ‘Holy Grail’

CONNACHT coach Eric Elwood is confident Leinster can win the Heineken Cup – and bring his side into the competition next season.

The western province are the only team in the Magners League not to have played in Europe’s premier competition but a Leinster victory over Northampton in the Heineken Cup final will see them qualify for the first time.

Elwood admitted: “It’s the Holy Grail for us. It does not matter how we get there, the important thing is that we get through.”

Connacht had two avenues to the Heineken Cup open to them prior to last weekend but Munster’s loss to Harlequins in the Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final closed one of them.

“After the Munster match it seemed we might have to wait until next year but Leinster have kept the hope alive and hopefully they will go on and do the business.”

Elwood is preparing his side for Friday night’s trip to Thomond Park against Munster but there are injury doubts about centre Niva Ta’auso, lock Michael Swift and backrower Ray Ofisa.