The 1998–99 season was Connacht's fourth season under professionalism. New Zealander Glenn Ross was head coach,John Fallon, "New Zealand influence will continue as Ross succeeds Gatland as Connacht coach", City Tribune, 15 May 1998 appointed to replace Warren Gatland, who had been appointed head coach of the Ireland national team. They competed in the Challenge Cup, finishing fifth in their pool, and the IRFU Interprovincial Championship, finishing fourth. They hosted Morocco, defeating them 30–5.
Players selected Connacht Rugby squadProps Martin Cahill (Buccaneers) Michael Finlay (Galwegians) John Maher (St Mary's) Jimmy Screene (Buccaneers)
Hookers Bernard Jackman (Clontarf) Billy Mulcahy (Skerries) Joe McVeigh (Buccaneers)
Locks Jimmy Duffy (Galwegians) Graham Heaslip (Galwegians) Justin Cullen (unattached)Back row John Casserly (Galwegians) Junior Charlie (Galwegians) Neil Culliton (Buccaneers) Ronnie Culliton (Wanderers) Ian Dillon (Bohemians) Barry Gavin (Galwegians) Shane McEntee (Lansdowne) Martyn Steffert (Buccaneers)
Scrum-halves Conor McGuinness (St Mary's) Diarmuid Reddan (Galwegians) David Mescal (Ballina)
Fly-halves Simon Allnutt (Buccaneers) Eric Elwood (Galwegians)Centres Pat Duignan (Galwegians) Mervyn Murphy (Galwegians)
Wings Nigel Carolan (Galwegians) Alan Reddan (Galwegians) Russell Southam (Buccaneers)
Fullbacks Owen Cobbe (Wanderers) Willie Ruane (Galwegians) (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 Munster 6 4 0 2 125 92 2 18 Champions; qualified for 1999–2000 Heineken Cup Ulster 6 3 0 3 137 119 3 15 Qualified for 1999–2000 Heineken Cup Leinster 6 3 0 3 135 136 2 14 Qualified for 1999–2000 Heineken Cup Connacht 6 2 0 4 95 145 3 11 Qualified for 1999–2000 European Challenge Cup
European Challenge Cup
Pool 1 TeamPWDLTries forTries againstTry diffPoints forPoints againstPoints diffPts Narbonne66003213+1922898+13012 Caerphilly64021619−3167154+138 Périgueux63032313+10168119+496 Racing Club de France63031723−6127184−576 Connacht63031619−3129156−276 Newport61051423−9123183−602 Rugby Rovigo61051220−8108156−482
Representative
Friendly
References