Connacht's squad ahead of next season has been further bolstered with news that captain Andrew Farley will extend his contract with the province.

With Farley now onboard for another season, Michael Bradley's squad number is up to 27, with contract negotiations still ongoing with a number of players.

"Negotiations are ongoing with a number of players at the moment. It is good to have a settled squad that is developing all the time," said Connacht chief executive Gerry Kelly.

Farley will play alongside the like of Ulster's scrumhalf Kieran Campbell, Shannon hooker Sean Cronin and Irish-qualified Kiwi outhalf Troy Nathan, who will join at the end of the current season.

A further thirteen players (Gavin Duffy, David Gannon, John Hearty, Liam Bibo, Mel Deane, Tim Donnelly, Keith Matthews, Mike McCarthy, Johnny O'Connor, John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, Danny Riordan and Brett Wilkinson) will begin the second of two-year contracts next season.

Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Robbie Morris, Conor O'Loughlin, Michael Swift and Aidan Wynne will start two-year contracts next season, while Farley is joined on one-year deals by Colm Rigney, Andrew Browne, John Lyne and Brian McGovern.
   
Meanwhile Connacht's head fitness advisor Des Ryan has been promoted to the position of IRFU Fitness Development Manager.

Ryan, who has been Connacht's head fitness advisor for eight seasons, will be responsible for developing and managing the fitness programme at age grade rugby in schools and clubs throughout the country.

The 33-year old is a graduate of St Mary's University College at Strawberry Hill in Twickenham. A native of Aughrim in Co. Galway, he attended Garbally College in Ballinasloe.

His new position will include responsibility for the in-house education for fitness staff of the IRFU, as well as managing the Certified Conditioning Programme ran by the IRFU.