CONNACHT HAVE ADDED new recruits John Andress and Tom Farrell to their European squad ahead of clashes with Zebre and Toulouse.

Former Leinster centre Farrell replaces academy fullback Cormac Brennan in the squad, with Andress – who came out of a brief retirement to join Connacht last month – in in place of Conan O’Donnell.

The two additions represent just half of the western province’s recent recruits. Prop Peter McCabe and out-half Steve Crosbie will not play the European fixtures, however Connacht do expect to have Craig Ronaldson back fit in time to fill the 10 jersey for the visit of the Italians on Saturday.

Ulster have also made one of the three permitted additions to their European squad as prop Jonny Simpson fills the gap left by Dan Tuohy after his move to Bristol.

Hosea Gear’s move away has given Stephen Brett a place in Clermont’s European squad. On the injury front, Matt Giteau (Toulon), Billy Vunipola (Saracens) and Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers) are among the list of de-registered players.

The Pro12 meanwhile have scheduled Ulster’s postponed meeting with Zebre (which was called off due to a frozen pitch at Kingspan Stadium) for March 11 at 18.05 – the day after Ireland’s Friday night Six Nations fixture in Wales.

A date for Connacht’s trip to Zebre (which was abandoned early this season due to lightning) will be fixed after the Champions Cup knock-out stages are made clearer.

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