CONNACHT opened their two-match tour of Sweden in Stockholm last night with a good display and an emphatic victory over the Swedish national side.

With the forwards dominant and revealing the greater level of experience and expertise, Connacht won a lot of possession and it was used very effectively against an opposing force whose enthusiasm was not matched by a sufficient level of proficiency to give Connacht any real problems.

Nonetheless, it was an encouraging and useful outing for Connacht, who included several of the newcomers to their squad this season. Two of them, full-back Owen, Cobbe and wing Dermot Finnegan marked their debuts for the province by scoring tries.

The occasion was especially productive for Connacht's international out-half Eric Elwood. He contributed 20 points with a try, three penalty goals and three conversions.

He opened the scoring with a penalty after four minutes and Connacht's lead was stretched to 10 points by the 10th minute when Cobbe crossed for a try and Elwood converted. Two minutes later Elwood finished off some good play by scoring a try and he added the conversion to leave his side 17 points clear.

With Sweden forced to defend, they conceded penalties, and Elwood kicked two penalty goals. Six minutes before the interval Bill Mulcahy got over for a try after a ruck. Elwood did not convert, but Connacht led 28-0 at the break.

Number eight Mark Reilly, another of Connacht's debutants, had to go off before the interval and was replaced by Barry Gavin.

The Swedish side offered some stubborn resistance in the initial stages of the second half, but Michael Devine got Connacht's fourth try in the 60th minute and Elwood converted. The home side got some reward four minutes later when Axellsor got a try which was converted. But Connacht embellished their win with two tries in the last 10 minutes from Graham Heaslip and Finnegan.

Connacht's new coach, Warren Gatland, arrived in Stockholm last night but not in time to see the match. He will get his initial opportunity to assess some of the talent at his disposal when Connacht play an Exiles side in Stockholm on Friday.