Connacht have signed loosehead Samoan Test prop Tietie Tuimauga from New Zealand club Manawatu.
Tuimauga, 28, played against the Maori All Blacks and Tonga during the summer and, with Denis Buckley ruled out in the long term, the westerners were keen to bring in a replacement.
Tuimauga will link up with the squad in the coming weeks with a view to being available for selection later in 2021.
"He'll arrive when his visa comes, hopefully within the next five weeks, so we won't get him for this block. It depends on his visa," said Connacht boss Andy Friend.
"He's a very physical boy, the scrummaging is the most important thing but he can carry, he is fast and fits into our way of playing, so that's good.
“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 Pro squad of 44 plus a number of integrated Academy players, so I’m really pleased with the group we have assembled.
"Our sole focus now is on building on last week’s win when we face the Dragons on Saturday.”
Connacht's Ireland prop Finlay Bealham added: "I'm happy to have anyone join the front row club, it's a prestigious club, I'm sure no doubt he'll fit in nicely."
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