Munster have signed the of former Great Britain rugby league full-back Gary Connolly ahead of the Heineken Cup registration deadline.
The surprise move is an attempt by the province to add strength and experience to their back line with both Christian Cullen and Mike Mullins currently suffering from long-term injuries.
South African Sevens international Anton Pitout has also been added to Munster's Heineken Cup squad. The 28-year-old can play at centre and on the wing and joins from the Vodacom Cheetahs.
Connolly has signed a four-month contract with Declan Kidney's side and linked up with his team-mates this afternoon in Limerick.
The 34-year-old came to fame in the 1990s with rugby league giants Wigan and St Helens and ended the 2005 season recently with relegated engage Super League club Widnes.
Connolly, who played rugby union previously for Harlequins (1996) and Orrell (2001, 2002) in an 18-year career, will make his Munster debut as an outside centre - partnering former Springbok Trevor Halstead - in tomorrow's Celtic League tie with provincial rivals Connacht.
