There are many in the background who have contributed to Connacht's rise this season, among them co-ordinator Billy Glynn, fitness advisor Dick O'Hanlon and team advisers Henry Blake, Eoin Traynor and former out-half stalwart from 1973 to 1985, Ciaran Smyth. Then there's the fringe players, such as the Alan and Diarmuid Reddan, Simon Allnutt, Martin Cahill, Bernard Jackman, Mick O'Neill, Ray Ward and Ray Southam. But even the front-line players are largely relative unknowns.
So who are these guys?
Michael Cosgrave (assistant coach, 34)
Stalwart centre, ever-present from 1986 to 1994, and still plays for Wanderers. Loyal lieutenant and clearly a harmonious foil to Gatland. Not shy about giving his opinions, particularly influential when instigating effective tactical substitutions.
Seamus King
(manager, 39)
Like all managers/dogsbodies, King is constantly on the mobile phone (surgical removal is imminent). Former Blackheath player. Good relationship with players.
Mary Walsh (physio)
Galway-born and based daughter of former Branch president who also works with Galway GAA team. Fourteen ever presents in the six pool games can be attributed partly to this "unsung hero", according to Gatland.
Tommy Conneely (technical adviser)
Galway-born former Connacht scrum-half and captain. Western development officer for seven years and highly esteemed backs expert.
Willie Ruane
(full back, 24)
Mayo-born Ruane was until now a fourth division full back with Ballina. A raw, rangy, quick runner with a big, sometimes wayward, boot on him, and improving positional play.
Nicky Barry
(wing, 28)
Naturally talented, Limerick-born, once-capped Clontarf back with play-anywhere attitude. Gives experienced decision-making to the wing.
Pat Duignan
(centre, 25) Canadian-born, Aussie-reared son of Connacht parents who played for Manly. A 400 metre runner who adds genuine potency, good tackling and support play in midfield.
Mervyn Murphy
(centre, 25)
Galway-born, Galwegians man. Provides link in the 10-12-13 `in your face' midfield defence. A crash ball, over-the-gain-line runner and hard tackler.
Nigel Carolan
(wing, 23)
Former Irish Students Galwayman who revived old link with Galwegians from Corinthians this season. Improved work-rate and leading try scorer with three crackers.
Eric Elwood
(out-half, 28)
Galway-born, a mainstay for eight years. Has returned from Lansdowne to Galwegians. Motormouth team leader, organiser of defence, brilliant tackler, prolific kicker, key decision maker.
Conor McGuinness
(scrum-half, 24)
Maintaining link with St Mary's and much improved this season. Crucially, he has lessened Elwood's load by assuming many of the play-making responsibilities. His tactical `kicking to tackle', as opposed to touch, has been outstanding.
John Maher
(prop, 26)
Galway-born, Bective loose-head. At sharp end of 13-man line-out against Northampton. Huge game thereafter, running and tackling everywhere. More to come.
Billy Mulcahy
(hooker, 33)
One-club (Skerries) man and one-province man since making debut in 1991. Unlucky, for worse hookers have been capped. Could now be number three in national pecking order.
Mick Finlay
(prop, 29)
Adopted, Salthill-based full-time Dubliner who's linked up with Galwegians as well as Connacht. Similar in style and strength to Maher, Finlay has also responded well to improved training methods.
Graham Heaslip
(second row, 25)
Cork-born and based, but Galwegians man who was singularly unlucky not to make development tour. Not particularly tall, but modern locks don't need to be. A productive number two jumper, hard-working presence around field and captain.
Mark McConnell
(second row, 23)
Fully-contracted, Hamilton-born baptist plays for Buccaneers. Brought New Zealand attitude of discipline and self-belief, as well as big number four line-out presence.
Junior Charlie
(flanker, 23)
A Tokorua-born former Taupiri team-mate of Gatland's, opting for Connacht and Galwegians, rather than Bay of Plenty. A strong defensive player and good loose forward.
Barry Gavin
(number eight, 28).
Galwegians product of Connacht under-age system. Patient understudy to Noel Mannion for years. Has revelled under new regime. Strong in the tackle and taking the ball on.
Shane McEntee
(flanker, 24)
Dublin-based Wanderers captain. Nearest thing to the team's John O'Driscoll-type big hitter. After try-scoring seasonal debut against Ulster, McEntee cemented his place with another omnipresent try-scoring display against Northampton.
Rory Rogers
(flanker, 26)
Original captain against Northampton whose work commitments and injury have sidelined him since. Bangor-born, but based with Blackrock, Rogers' fitness, defence and ability to win ball at breakdown will have him pushing hard again.
Mark Reilly
(flanker, 25)
The squad's relative aristocrat, coming via an Oxford blue and St Mary's. Surprised even Gatland with his arrival off the bench last Saturday, making a ton of tackles.
