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The Connacht Professonal Games Board hopes to have some input into the province’s new CEO following the unexpected resignation of Tom Sears.

By Linley MacKenzie

Connacht open their European campaign with a trip to Italy where they face newcomers I Cavalieri Estra on Saturday (3pm).

The Eric Elwood era begins in earnest on Saturday when Connacht open their season with a home Magners League fixture against the Newport Gwent Dragons (5.30pm).

Some six and a half years ago John Muldoon, a newcomer to professional rugby, received his first cap for Connacht against the Scottish Borders. Back then coach Michael Bradley told the 20-years-old that he was there because he was an “all right” rugby player - not because he was home-grown Connacht. Today the Portumna man is one of only two from the province on the Irish team, and he knows he’s there on merit - standing proudly and taller than his 6’3” frame alongside Lions players like Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, Paul O’Connell.

A 10 try, 66-0 victory, over Madrid rounded off an incredible European Pool campaign for Connacht on Saturday in the unusual surroundings of the Spanish capital. The result confirmed Connacht's position as top seeds in the Challenge Cup and European Rugby's only unbeaten side. The seeding guarantees a home quarter final, and, should they win, a home semi final.

Connacht's European qualification hopes will be determined tomorrow night when they host Dax in the final pool fixture at the Galway Sportsground (6.30pm).

At the age of 18 American comedian Doug Stanhope left his suburban home outside Boston behind and travelled to Los Angeles to become rich and famous. He appeared in a number of TV movies and uncredited extra roles and eventually he left acting behind to pursue a lucrative career in telemarketing. After breaking up with his then girlfriend Doug decided that the only road open to him was the world of stand-up comedy and in 1995 he won the San Francisco comedy competition. Throughout his career Stanhope has been somewhat controversial and in recent years has toured with a bunch of comics under the banner of The Unbookables. He has upset the sensibilities of the booking agents at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival, The Edinburgh Comedy Festival and the Kilkenny Cat Laughs Festival. Stanhope makes his way to Galway on Wednesday September 3 to play The Laughter Lounge at Roisin Dubh.

Connacht’s focus, after an inconsistent start to the season, turns to Europe and first up is a visit of an unknown Spanish side to the Galway Sportsground tomorrow (6.30pm).

France once again proved a happy hunting ground for Connacht with their victory over Montpellier securing them pole position in pool 2.