Connacht coach looking to bounce back

Connacht boss Eric Elwood has called on his side to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat to Gloucester by winning next weekend’s return fixture with the English side.

Elwood believes his side could have recorded their first Heineken Cup victory at the Sportsground on Saturday but still remain bottom of Pool Six, albeit with their first Heineken Cup point now on the board.

"It is difficult because that was a game we felt we had a huge opportunity to get our first win in the Heineken Cup, so now we cannot feel sorry for ourselves," he insisted.

"We know we are capable of mixing with this opposition. Yes, they will be a different proposition on their home patch, but the challenge now for us is, 'Can we do to them next week what they did to us today?"'

The hosts managed to reduce the arrears back to 11-10 early in the second half, but Gloucester's superior set-piece, particularly the scrum, had Connacht under the cosh.

"We are frustrated with our performance. That was a huge opportunity missed. I thought when we got within one point we would have pushed on, because we had a bit of momentum, and that is what is disappointing," conceded Elwood.

"Both teams were in a difficult place. This could kick-start their season and we have an opportunity next week to see if we can bounce back.

"I don't think Gloucester were at their best, but they did enough to win the game, and I wouldn't mind just doing enough to win a game.

"We were both desperate for the win, but I certainly believe that ourselves, as the home team, should have taken the initiative to push on and really go for the jugular, particularly when there was only one point in it."

Connacht, with several key players unavailable through injury including openside Johnny O'Connor, are also facing fresh concerns. Ray Ofisa injured his knee in the first half and is expected to miss the return fixture next weekend at Kingsholm.