Connacht coach Michael Bradley has bolstered his squad ahead of the start of the new season with the signing of Samoan back rower Ray Ofisa.
The 26 year old flanker linked up with his new team mates for training today at the Sportsground in Galway and is looking forward to the new season.
"I've always wanted to play in the northern hemisphere and I'm really looking forward to playing for Connacht," said Ofisa, who played all his youths rugby in Samoa but at 19 moved to New Zealand to further his career.
In New Zealand he played for the Colts under-21 side in Otago before going on to play for North Otago, winning promotion with them last season.
Ofisa could make his debut against the Border Reivers on Friday, September 1st in Scotland, before a run of seven home matches for Connacht at the Sportsground.
Connacht play the Neath-Swansea Ospreys on September 8th before entertaining, Llanelli Scarlets, Edinburgh Gunners, Leinster, Ulster and Newport Gwent Dragons in the following weeks in Galway. They then host NEC Harlequins in a repeat of the 2004 European Challenge Cup semi final.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IMNWKIX5DFFCFE5CD5NLBU6EVY.png)