Connacht have bolstered their front row options with the signing of Samoa international prop Tietie Tuimauga.
The 28-year-old loosehead arrives at the Sportsground for the rest of the season, having most recently played with Manawatu in New Zealand's NPC.
The province had been looking to bring in an extra loosehead prop this season, with Denis Buckley likely to be sidelined until the new year following a serious knee injury at the end of last season.
Jordan Duggan and Matthew Burke had started Connacht's opening games of the United Rugby Championship, while head coach Andy Friend had previously spoken of their difficulties in finding a suitable signing.
Tuimauga made his debut for Samoa earlier this year, winning two caps in the summer Tests against Tonga.
Head coach Andy Friend said: "It's no secret we’ve been exploring further options at loosehead following Denis Buckley’s long-term injury, so we are really pleased to welcome Tietie to Connacht. We now have strong cover across all of our front row, which is a good place to be, and with Tietie’s experience he’ll offer us something different.
"We now have a professional squad of 44 plus a number of integrated ccademy players, so I’m really pleased with the group we have assembled."
The western province bounced back from their opening URC defeat to Cardiff with a bonus point win against the Bulls last week.
Andy Friend's side welcome the Dragons to the Sportsground this Saturday, before the first interprovincial block of the season.
Connacht first travel to Thomond Park to face Munster, before they take on Ulster at the Aviva Stadium on 23 October, in what is set to be one of the first sporting events in Ireland without a Covid-19 restricted capacity.
