Baffled Elwood says Connacht won’t wilt

ERIC ELWOOD’S disconsolate expression said it all after Connacht’s 24-9 defeat by Munster at Thomond Park on Monday night.

He had named his strongest possible side, confidence boosted by a fine display a week earlier in the Heineken Cup game at Gloucester, and quietly confident that the 25 year gap since they had won in Limerick could finally be bridged — but they were well beaten at the finish.

“We recognised we had an opportunity coming down here but I thought our first-half performance was very disappointing and that was reflected in what we said at half-time,” said Elwood.