Tony Ward believes that Connacht are edging closer to an even playing field with Ireland's big three in The Irish Independent.
"It was a bitingly cold weekend for rugby fans everywhere, except, we suspect, out west. For sure, Connacht's struggle to stay the professional pace has not been fixed through the stroke of an IRFU pen but a big step forward has been made.
"Ireland's fourth proud province now have a fighting chance against the rest. As one who suffered at the hands of Connacht -- being part of a Munster team that passed the 'world champion' mantle to the men from the west the year after we beat the All Blacks -- I know that pride cuts every bit as deep in Connacht rugby as it does elsewhere.
"The demographics may differ but the desire to compete and, on occasion, savour success, is every bit the same as it is with Ireland's big Heineken Cup three. How fitting it is to have Eric Elwood at the helm, a man who epitomises everything positive about Connacht rugby -- a man who wore his heart on his sleeve as a player and continues to do so as head coach."
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