The 1999–2000 season was Connacht's fifth season under professionalism, and their second under head coach Clive Ross. They competed in the IRFU Interprovincial Championship, finishing fourth with no wins, and the European Challenge Cup, finishing third in their pool. Ross resigned at the end of the season."Ross resigns as Connacht coach", Connacht Tribune, 31 March 2000
Player transfers
Players in Mel Deane from Richmond Conor Kilroy from Munster Mark McConnell Shane McDonald Stephen McIvor from Munster Matt Mostyn from Bègles-Bordeaux"Major coup for Buccs", Roscommon Champion, 9 JUly 1999 Gavin Webster from Rotherham
Players out Owen Cobbe Mick Finlay Graham Heaslip Willie Ruane Russell SouthamGerry Thornley, "Ulster bid to continue their roll by recruiting heavily", The Irish Times, 31 July 1999
Squad Connacht Rugby squadProps Martin Cahill John Maher Jimmy Screene
Hookers Bernard Jackman Shane McDonald Joe McVeigh
Locks Mark McConnell Colm Rigney Gavin WebsterBack row Eoin Brennan John Casserly Junior Charlie Ian Dillon Barry Gavin Shane McEntee Ultan O'Callaghan Martyn Steffert
Scrum-halves James Ferris Conor McGuinness Stephen McIvor David Mescal
Fly-halves Eric ElwoodCentres Mel Deane Matt Mostyn Mervyn Murphy
Wings Nigel Carolan Pat Duignan
Fullbacks Simon Allnutt Conor Kilroy (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 6 6 0 0 242 103 5 29 Champions; qualified for 2000–01 Heineken Cup 6 3 0 3 186 129 3 15 Qualified for next season's Heineken Cup 6 2 0 4 145 137 2 10 Qualified for 2000–01 Heineken Cup 6 0 0 6 85 289 1 1 Qualified 2000–01 European Challenge Cup
European Challenge Cup
Pool 4 TeamPWDLTries forTries againstTry diffPoints forPoints againstPoints diffPts Ebbw Vale660031131825212712512 Toulon63031789178148306 Connacht62041518−3131165−344 Steaua București61051337−24120241−1212
Representative
References