Apparatus and method for connecting tubular members in a wellbore. A host tubular member has reinforcing annular members mounted thereon to provide regions of differing resistance to the radial load. When the host tubular member is expanded radially outwardly, within a second tubular member, each weaker region starts expanding first and seals the host tubular member against the second tubular member prior to the stronger region. Embodiments of host tubular members are described including members of progressive resistance, split rings, gripper elements and sealing elements.