Connacht have had a slow start to the new season and could be in for a long, hard season and the disappointment of new head coach Kieran Keane was palpable after their latest defeat which came by a very narrow scoreline.

After the 17-15 loss to the Cardiff Blues in the Guinness Pro 14, Keane was involved in a terse and altogether quite tetchy post-match interview with a Sky Sports reporter with the Connacht head coach seemingly unimpressed with some of the questions coming his way.

Former Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan joined us on Monday Night Rugby and he gave his take on what he had heard. 

"It's disappointing that he did that. I mean look, we've all been in that position and whether you're frustrated or angry - and I know Graham Simmons was prodding him a little bit to try and get him going - but he does owe everybody as a professional coach an explanation of what he thinks happened in the game," said Eddie.

Eddie continued: "They don't want to hear monosyllabic responses and I think he should make the effort. I understand how frustrated he was. I watched the game and thought they had done the deal.

"Like I've had that experience against France at Croke Park. But that's your job and you go out and explain to people what you think happened and you get on with it."   

Connacht Head Coach Kieran Keane ©INPHO/James Crombie

And with New Zealander Keane newly arrived in Ireland, Eddie believes he would be better served taking a different approach when dealing with the media.

"I don't think it's a good thing. I don't think, as well, it doesn't help him. He's new in the country and people always want to embrace coaches from overseas but that doesn't endear him to anybody," said Eddie, adding that he could have been "more gracious".