Ross sees some light

New Connacht coach Glenn Ross was a relieved man last evening when his experimental senior XV disposed of first-time visitors Morocco at Galway's Corinthian Park.

Without international halfbacks Eric Elwood and Conor McGuinness and forced to make two last-minute changes, due to eligibility problems of recruits Justin Cullen and Martyn Steffert, he knew the importance of getting a result before next Saturday's interprovincial opener against Munster.

Wet and windy conditions did not make for a fluid game, yet Ross still believed his charges showed enough enterprise to be "a good side when the fundamental mistakes are eliminated." And with four new caps, Ross was pleased that they had little difficulty in overcoming the Moroccans who lived dangerously offside for much of the match.

"We were three or four tries better than what we displayed out there but given the slippery conditions I was delighted we played positive rugby."

Despite an initial five minutes when the tourists failed to capitalise on two close-in penalty chances, it was Connacht who dominated the match. However, the game failed to ignite due to a series of poor passes and knockons. Two penalties from out-half Owen Cobbe was a poor return for the home side's superiority. It was not until the stroke of half-time that full-back Russell Southam showed some enterprise when taking a quick-tap penalty and diving between the posts. Cobbe converted to give his side a 13-0 halftime lead.

Both teams used this seasonal opener to introduce their full complement of players in the second half as Connacht, now enjoying wind advantage, kept the Moroccans pinned inside their own half. The Connacht backs always looked sharper than their opponents and Southam skipped through the central cover after 48 minutes to score the second try, which Cobbe converted.

Although Morocco got a consolation try through centre Karin El Oula from a breakaway at halfway, there was little the tourists could do, deprived of first-phase ball.

Replacement scrum-half and debutant David Mescal scored Connacht's third try after 22 minutes and four minutes from full time Southam notched his hattrick with possibly the best try of the match, following a sweet backline move reminiscent of last season.

With one week before the first interprovincial, Ross not only has to eliminate mistakes but he has several selection headaches to sort out. Cullen should get his clearance from the English Rugby Football Union next week but the question of eligibility might require some more consideration when it was expected that Simon Allnutt would qualify on residential basis. It is not the sort of preparation the new coach needed.