Elwood expecting 'physical battle' with Ulster

Connacht coach Eric Elwood is anticipating a “big physical battle” when high-flying Ulster visit the Sportsground this Saturday.

Under the tutelage of new coach and ex-Connacht legend Elwood, Connacht have made an excellent start to the new season: picking up a bonus point win in their opening game against the Dragons; losing narrowly to the Scarlets at Rodney Parade and then picking up their first away win in two years at Glasgow last weekend.

Elwood has been delighted with the his team’s approach in the last few weeks.

“We’ve taken steps in the right direction and the team had set themselves challenges for the last two away matches and fair play to the lads, they showed great character from the disappointing defeat to Scarlets to front up like they did in a real physical battle to a very strong Glasgow side at home,” he said.

The western province have been hit hard by injuries early on- losing captain John Muldoon, openide Johnny O’Connor and new signing Ezra Taylor in recent weeks, but the losses have been offset by the form of Ian Keatley and electric winger Fionn Carr.

Another huge positive for Connacht this season has been their scrum where young tight-head and ex-Leinster academy player Jamie Hagan has excelled.

Hooker and recent Irish tourist Sean Cronin expects the Ulster pack, buoyed by their recent Springbok acquisitions, to lay down a huge challenge to the Connacht pack.

“Ulster will be one the best front rows that we’ll have play against this year, whoever they put out they’ll be tough across the line, we will just have to do what we’ve been doing in the last couple of games and see where we go from there.”

Cronin is also confident his pack can build on their strong scrummaging displays this weekend.

“We’ve managed to squeeze a few penalties there in the last couple of weeks, we’re working better as an eight this year, Dan (McFarland) has put a huge amount of work in over the last number of years and we’re starting to reap the fruits of that now,” he said.