Former Counties Manukau and Chiefs centre Bundee Aki has been called into the Irish rugby squad for the November internationals after completing his residency qualification.
The New Zealand-born midfielder with Samoan parents has impressed since joining Connacht in 2014, helping the Galway province lift the 2016 Guinness PRO12 title, Britain's Press Association reports.
His qualification will offset midfield injury headaches for Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, who has named four uncapped players in a 38-man squad for the matches against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.
Aki, 27, has completed the three-year residency qualification before it is extended to five years in May.
He played 26 matches for the Chiefs in 2013-14.
