Connacht have added to their squad with the signing of Kyle Tonetti from Aviva Premiership club Sale Sharks.
The 24-year-old former Blackrock College centre joined Sale last season where he earned 14 Premiership caps and scored a try against this week's Heineken Cup opponents Harlequins.
Tonetti has represented Ireland at U-19 and U-20 level and was part of the 2007 U-20 6 Nations Grand Slam winning team alongside current Connacht players Andrew Browne, Paul O'Donohoe, TJ Anderson and Niall O'Connor.
Tonetti's contract will see him play at the Sportsground until at least the end of this current season.
Connacht will make their bow in the Heineken Cup this weekend with a trip away to Harlquins.
The squad for the clash sees the return of centre Eoin Griffin as well as Samoan duo Ray Ofisa and Henry Fa'afilli who all sat out the game with Ulster in the RaboDirect Pro12 last Saturday weekend with knocks.
Youngster Dave McSharry hangs on to his place in the squad after an impressive performance in his first start in Ravenhill.
Eric Elwood's squad boasts considerable Heineken Cup experience. Captain Gavin Duffy is one of five players who have played in the competition previously. The full-back spent three seasons at Harlequins including the 2004/05 Heineken Cup campaign where he scored a try against Castres in the pool stages.
Scrum Halves Frank Murphy and Paul O'Donohoe have played for Leicester Tigers and Leinster respectively while TJ Anderson and Niall O'Connor have both played Heineken Cup rugby for Ulster.
Connacht squad v Harlequins in Heineken Cup on Friday, 11 November, kick-off 8.00pm:
Forwards:
Brett Wilkinson, Ronan Loughney, Rodney Ah You, Dylan Rogers, Adrian Flavin, Ethienne Reynecke, Dave Gannon, Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy, TJ Anderson, Eoghan Grace, John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, George Naoupu
Backs:
Frank Murphy, Paul O'Donohoe, Niall O'Connor, Miah Nikora, Henry Fa'afili, Eoin Griffin, Dave McSharry, Tiernan O'Halloran, Fetu'u Vainikolo. Brian Tuohy, Matthew Jarvis, Gavin Duffy
