Connacht will face the Gwent Newport Dragons this Saturday at the Sportsgound (kick-off 5.30pm) in their first Magners League game of the 2010/11 season. Speaking at a press conference held in Galway Elwood said about the new signings Ezra Taylor, Darragh Fanning, Cillian Willis and Shane Monahan, that they had settled in exceptionally well, gelled well with the squad and embraced the whole set-up very well”. Remaining competitive and maintaining consistency away from home are among the top aims Eric has for Connacht and the depth of the squad will be tested this weekend with Robbie Morris, Johnny O’Connor and John Muldoon all ruled out with longterm injuries.

The addition of Brian Melrose as backs coach, Mike Forshaw as defence coach and Conor McPhillips as video analyst gives the backroom team an extra dimension as Connacht look to improve on last years 10th place finish. Qualification for Heineken Cup Rugby by finishing above one of the other three Irish Provinces remains the target for Elwood, though the Amlin Challenge Cup will provide a welcome distraction to the rigours of the Magners League.

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