John Muldoon: Eric Elwood key to Connacht rise

If Connacht manage to finish what they have started this season, by defeating Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground in Galway in eight days’ time, and then beat either Leinster or Ulster in the Pro12 final at Murrayfield a week later, there will be few who could begrudge John Muldoon his moment of glory

And if the long-serving skipper does get a chance to lift silverware for the first time in his 13-year professional career, he hopes another Connacht stalwart will also be able to enjoy the moment from a distance.

Eric Elwood was a talismanic figure for Connacht at stand-off during the first 10 years of professionalism, and then dedicated another eight years to the province in a coaching capacity (the last three of those years as head coach), before deciding to step down at the end of 2012-13 season.