Connacht last night announced they will release eight players from their squad at the end of the season — the biggest shock being the exit of Gavin Duffy.

Connacht have confirmed that that Kyle Tonetti has retired from the game of rugby due to a long-standing ankle injury.

Mark McCrea has been released early from his two-year contract with Connacht, moving to Jersey RFC for the remainder of the season and next year.

Connacht Rugby have announced that flanker Ray Ofisa will leave the province at the end of the season.

Connacht Rugby have secured the services of tighthead prop Nathan White for next season.

ANYONE who doubted Michael Swift’s ability to last the pace and stay the course with Connacht would be red-faced as the big lock forward gets ready to square up to European heavyweights Toulouse at the Sportsgrounds on Saturday.

Connacht’s towering second row Mike McCarthy has been voted as this month’s Connacht Player of the Month.

Benetton Treviso 24 Connacht 17

THE SENSE of expectation and confidence in the Connacht camp was palpable last night as coach Eric Elwood and his new backroom team were unveiled at a press conference at the Galway Sportsground.

CONNACHT skipper John Muldoon will be out of action until mid-October after breaking his arm against the All Blacks on Saturday.

CONNACHT coach Eric Elwood has strengthened his squad with the acquisition of two promising young backs.

Connacht have captured New Zealand second-row forward Bernie Upton on a two-year contract.

Connacht continue their drive to recontract players by signing prop Brett Wilkinson and flanker Ray Ofisa to two-year contract extensions.

Connacht's new signing Samoan centre Niva Ta'auso has arrived in Galway.

Connacht have signed 28-year-old Samoan centre Niva Ta'auso for the forthcoming season from Super 14 side Highlanders.

Connacht have signed Australian fly-half Tim Donnelly on a two-year deal.

Connacht will continue their preparations for their opening game of the Magners League when they take on Rotherham next Friday (3pm) in a pre-season friendly.

New signings Brett Wilkinson and Adrian Flavin could make their debuts for Connacht next weekend when Michael Bradley's men take on Narbonne in France in a pre-season friendly.

Connacht have completed the signing of versatile Natal Sharks front rower Frik Venter ahead of the new season.

Connacht rugby have announced the return of Colm Rigney to the province on a two-year contract after two seasons with Zurich Premiership side Leeds Tykes.

Connacht have made a number of changes from the side which played against Munster on Friday night with Mark McHugh, who goes into hospital on Friday for an operation, ruled out.

Buccaneers are level on points with Belfast Harlequins and three points ahead of fifth-placed Ballymena before their trip to Dungannon.

Connacht will this Friday bid to make it four wins from four visits to Scotland this weekend when they take on The Borders at Netherdale on Friday evening (7.30 pm).

The Connacht team to play Cardiff Blues at Dubarry Park on Saturday evening (7pm) shows seven changes from that which defeated Edinburgh at Meadowbank at the weekend.

Simon Danielli is backing Bath to wipe out a five-point deficit and remain on course for a domestic and European double when they take on Beziers tomorrow.

The Connacht team to play Narbonne Saturday in the second leg of their Parker Pen Challenge Cup quarter-final clash shows two changes from that which defeated the French in the first leg.

Connacht have been forced to make one change to their side for Saturday¹s Parker Pen European Challenge Cup encounter against Pau at the Sportsground (kick-off 2pm).

Connacht open their Parker Pen European Challenge Cup campaign this weekend in the south of France when they take on Beziers in the first leg of the tie at Stade de la Mediterranee on Sunday (kick-off 2pm Irish time).

ERIC ELWOOD is back to lead the Connacht challenge for a place in the Celtic Cup final at the Sportsground, Galway, tomorrow (2.p.m.), but there is no place for captain Tim Allnutt.

The Connacht team to play Neath-Swansea Ospreys at St Helen's on Friday night shows eight changes from that which went down to Llanelli at the weekend.

Leinster 21 Connacht 6

MUNSTER, Connacht and Leinster face injury crises ahead of their Celtic League fixtures this weekend.

The Connacht team to play Leinster in the Celtic League at Donnybrook on Friday night (7.30 pm) shows five changes from that which defeated The Borders at the weekend.

The Connacht team to play Scottish Borders in the opening round of the Celtic Cup at Galashiels on Friday night (7.35pm) shows nine changes from the team that went down to Cardiff at the Arms Park on Saturday.

Cardiff out-half Nicky Robinson scored 15 points, as Michael Bradley’s Connacht side lost their unbeaten record in this year’s Celtic League, with a 33-17 defeat against the Blues at Arms Park.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has named an unchanged side for Saturday¹s Celtic League clash with Cardiff at the Arms Park (kick-off 5.30 pm).

NEW Leinster coach Gary Ella has marked out young Barnhall player Brendan Burke as a star of the future.

Connacht open their Celtic League campaign this Saturday when they entertain Edinburgh at the Galway Sportsground in a game which kicks-off at 4pm.

THE Munster supporters’ club, through chairman Declan O’Connell, have pledged full and unconditional support to Frankie Sheahan in his bid to overturn his recent ERC imposed ban.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has announced that Tim Allnutt will captain the province for the coming season - the 29 year old also led the province last year before a serious knee injury terminated his season.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has unveiled a host of new signings as the province bids to improve on last season's performances when they reached the quarter-finals of the Celtic League and Parker Pen Challenge Cup.