Connacht make three new signings and they are all familiar faces

Connacht are right up against it in terms of injuries but the cavalry is coming.

The western province have signed up former Leinster centre Tom Farrell and outhalf/centre Steve Crosbie for the rest of the season. Pat Lam has also confirmed that 24-year-old Munster prop Peter McCabe will be heading to Galway for the rest of the season. Crosbie was highly rated within the Leinster set-up for years, and has made senior appearances, but failed to make the breakthrough like fellow academy players Joey Carbery and Adam Byrne. He moved to Munster last summer but found his route to the senior team blocked by Tyler Bleyendaal, Ian Keatley and, when fit, Bill Johnston. He has played for Munster A this season. Farrell had a number of appearances for Leinster A and the province's underage sides. He played club rugby for Lansdowne but moved to Bedford Bulls in the English Championship last summer. McCabe, who hails from Cork, made a name for himself in the Ulster Bank League with Dolphin and featured in Munster's memorable win over the Maori All Blacks last November. He has been loaned out by the province for the rest of the season. Connacht currently have over 15 players injured in their senior squad so some fresh, fit bodies will be a welcome sight out west. It remains to be seen if all three will be registered for European action in the coming days.