2001-02 was Connacht's sixth season under professionalism, and their first under head coach Steph Nel, a 33-year-old South African who had previously coached wih the South Western Districts Eagles, the Northern Free State Griffons and Western Province, appointed director of coaching in place of the departing Glenn Ross.John Fallon, "South African coach takes over as new Connacht rugby boss", City Tribune, 30 June 2000 They finished bottom of the IRFU Interprovincial Championship, and bottom of their pool in the European Challenge Cup.
Player transfers
Players in Damian Browne from Galwegians Rowan FrostTony Ward, "Front line power to drive Leinster success", Irish Independent, 15 September 2000 Robbie Lee from Buccaneers Dan McFarland from Stade FrançaisKieran Rooney, "O'Driscoll doubtful for Leinster tie", Irish Independent, 2 August 2000 Johnny O'Connor Willie Ruane (re-contracted) Denver Rumney Gavin Schoeman Bryan Shelbourne Mick Smyth (from Terenure) Michael Swift from Leeds Tykes Marnus Uijs
Players out Mel Deane to Sale Sharks Bernard Jackman to Sale Sharks Matt Mostyn to Newport Ultan O'Callaghan Gavin Webster to Worcester Warriors
Squad Connacht Rugby squadProps Martin Cahill Dan McFarland* Jimmy Screene
Hookers Paul Cleary Joe McVeigh Marnus Uijs
Locks Damian Browne Rowan Frost Mark McConnellBack row Junior Charlie Ian Dillon Johnny O'Connor Colm Rigney Gavin Schoeman Michael Swift
Scrum-halves James Ferris Stephen McIvor Bryan Shelbourne
Fly-halves Eric ElwoodCentres Tim Allnutt Mervyn Murphy Mick Smyth Shane Stephens
Wings Nigel Carolan Pat Duignan Denver Rumney Darren Yapp
Fullbacks Robbie Lee Wayne Munn Willie Ruane (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players. * denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.
IRFU Interprovincial Championship
Team P W D LFA BPPts Status 6 5 1 0 151 99 1 23 Champions; qualified for 2001–02 Heineken Cup 6 3 0 3 144 119 3 15 Qualified for 2001–02 Heineken Cup 6 2 1 3 109 111 2 12 Qualified for 2001–02 Heineken Cup 6 1 0 5 100 175 1 5 Qualified for 2001–02 European Challenge Cup
European Challenge Cup
Pool 2 TeamPWDLTries forTries againstTry diffPoints forPoints againstPoints diffPts Béziers6501141041511123910 Montferrand640223914201107948 Neath62041623−7151192−414 Connacht6105415−1160152−922
References