New deal puts different type of pressure on Connacht

AT last, the Connacht rugby team have got some security in terms of their medium-term future. That’s the net result of a new structure for the professional game in the province which is also bound to boost on-field performances. No more looking over their shoulders; no more feeling like second class citizens; no more uncertainty – at least, for the next three years.

It represents a huge step forward for Connacht rugby and the increased IRFU backing follows on a high-powered review of the game out West. Clearly, the local branch, under its Chief Executive Gerry Kelly, made a compelling case for the province to be put on a more equal footing with Leinster, Munster and Ulster, and lobbied hard for the necessary financial support to maximize the sport’s potential in Connacht.

A new independent Professional Game Board, under the Chairmanship of Jimmy Staunton, and which includes former Connacht and Irish scrum half, Conor McGuinness, has been established to drive the game forward locally, while the other three provinces have given a commitment to allow more movement of selected players to Connacht as part of the overall agreement. That scenario will see Connacht becoming less dependent on their overseas recruitment policy.

Though Irish coach Declan Kidney and IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne are understandably viewing Connacht’s improved circumstances from the national team’s perspective by offering “accelerated development” opportunities for players who cannot receive sufficient game time in their home provinces, the local priority was all about making the men in green more competitive and removing the long-standing threat to Connacht as a professional entity.

Yet, it’s arguable that the province wouldn’t have got an improved deal from the IRFU only for the team being far more competitive this season. Sure, the win ratio of John Muldoon and his colleagues remains poor – they have only been successful in two of their nine Magners League games so far – but the tonkings which were a regular feature of previous campaigns have been conspicuous by their absence.

Connacht may be second bottom in the league table, but Glasgow, Benetton Treviso and Newport Gwent Dragons are all within touching distance while, with a little more luck, Eric Elwood’s squad could easily have picked up a couple of more victories along the way. Still, they have been securing the bonus points and with their fan base increasing all the time, last Friday’s announcement of extended contracts is another big step in the right direction.

Elwood’s role in all of this shouldn’t be under-estimated either. Unlike his predecessor Michael Bradley, who wasn’t prepared to rock the boat of officialdom, the former Irish out-half has taken on the IRFU in relation to their treatment of Connacht. Elwood came out fighting when he was appointed to the position earlier this year and hasn’t been incline to slip quietly back into the trenches since.

He is passionate about Connacht, but quickly realised that they would always struggle unless granted more equal status with the other provinces. Elwood has no interest in going through the motions or keeping up appearances. He wants Connacht to develop a more consistent squad, capable of delivering more consistent results.In some respects, there will now be extra pressure on Connacht in the weeks and months ahead, starting with this Sunday’s crunch away Amlin Cup battle with Harlequins, but it’s a far better situation to be in than persistently worrying about whether the Connacht professional brand even has a future. Hopefully, Munster, Leinster and Ulster will honour their part of the deal in moving players west and won’t start putting self-preservation first if Connacht are starting to become too competitive – wouldn’t that be the ultimate irony.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.