Former buccaneers boss and assistant Connacht coach John McKee has enjoyed success on his return to Australia.

The Australians ? Ireland take note ? have set up a new layer of competition between clubs and their four Super 14 franchises.

McKee, who is also head coach to the Warringah club team, was given charge of the Central Coast Rays which caters for teams north of city and draws players from a host of feeder clubs such as Gordon, Manly, Northern Suburbs and Warringah.

The ARU have developed eight teams, above club level and below Super 14, to compete in the Mazda Australian Rugby Championship.

The competition has been run off over the past two months and McKee's Central Coast Rays side emerged as the first winners, defeating the Melbourne Rebels 20-12 last weekend to take the crown.

SUCH A radical approach from the IRFU could benefit the club game here. Next weekend Ireland's 48 clubs commence their lengthy AIB League campaigns.

Galwegians, the only Connacht side in Division One, will take on St Mary's College at Crowley Park on Saturday.

Buccaneers commence their Division Two campaign when they host Clonakilty at Dubarry Park. Both of Connacht's teams in Division Three will be on their travels with Connemara heading south to Cork to play Sunday's Well, while Corinthians travel to Tipperary to play Nenagh Ormond.

ERIC ELWOOD has received many awards over the years and another will come his way tomorrow when NUIG acknowledges his career with the conferring of an Honorary MA degree.

The university wants to recognise the contribution Elwood, capped 35 times for Ireland and 177 times for Connacht, has made to rugby.

Also being honoured will be Ballinrobe native Tom Tuohy for his magnificent contribution to rowing over the past 20 years.