The 2010–11 season saw Swift's former teammate Eric Elwood take over as coach, replacing the outgoing Bradley. The 2010–11 Celtic League saw two teams from Italy introduced to the competition, bringing the number of teams back up to twelve. Swift started 19 games and scored a try as Elwood set about improving the team's league form. Connacht finished the season above both Italian teams and Glasgow Warriors in ninth place. As Elwood helped the team climb up the domestic league, they did not fare as well in the 2010–11 Challenge Cup as the previous season. Swift featured in all six games, starting five of them, as Connacht were knocked out in the pool stages, finishing second in their group to the eventual winners of the tournament, Harlequins.