Rugby:A new era dawns within Leinster Rugby as incoming head coach Joe Schmidt takes over from Michael Cheika while the new squad for the 2010/11 season has also been finalised.
Schmidt arrives in Dublin fresh from his involvement in Clermont Auvergne’s Bouclier de Brennus success and brings with him a new-look backroom team.
Jono Gibbes will serve as forwards coach, while Richie Murphy’s role has been expanded to incorporate skills and kicking duties. Guy Easterby takes over as team manager following his involvement with the province’s British and Irish Cup and ‘A’ in recent years, which brings plenty of continuity in the new coaching ticket.
Former New Zealand prop Greg Feek has signed a deal to become the senior team’s consultant scrum coach. Capped 10 times for the All Blacks, the former Taranaki, Canterbury and Tasman frontrow has been the forwards coach for the Wellington Hurricanes since 2008.
On the pitch Leinster signed Ulster and Ireland duo Isaac Boss (scrumhalf) and Ed O’Donoghue (secondrow) on respective two and three year deals. They also won the signature of South Africa prop Heinke van der Merwe from Super 14 side the Lions on a two-year deal.
In addition, Isa Nacewa signed a new three-year deal, while the province hopes to complete one further back-five forward signing in the coming weeks.
Ireland Under-20 back Andrew Conway signed his first professional contract, while six other Academy graduates – Brendan Macken, Jack McGrath, Niall Morris, Rhys Ruddock, Paul Ryan and Eoin Sheriff - have each signed development contracts with the senior squad.
One youngster on his way out of the province is Ireland under-18 international Ross Jones, who has signed a three year development contract with the Ospreys.
Jones, who was born in Llanelli but moved to Ireland with his family 10 years ago, hopes the move could one day lead an senior international cap with Wales.
“I am delighted to welcome our new signings on board and I’m confident that each will make a significant impression on the team both next season and in the years ahead,” said Michael Dawson, Leinster chief executive.
“All of the players come with impressive pedigrees and they will supplement a squad which has been further bolstered by six Academy players who have signed Development contracts with the province. We are delighted by the talent coming through the Academy system and it is encouraging both for Leinster and Irish rugby that such a strong crop of underage talent are being rewarded in the next step in their careers.
“Greg Feek joins the province having accrued impressive playing and coaching credentials in New Zealand and he will supplement a coaching team which will draw on the experience of Jono, Richie and Guy, who have all been involved in the senior set-up over the last two years, while Joe joins us after guiding Clermont to the French championship.”
Leinster will face London Wasps in a pre-season friendly in Donnybrook in an evening game on Friday, August 20th and travel to England to face Leicester Tigers on Saturday, August 28th at Welford Road.
Leinster squad 2010/11
Forwards:Leo Cullen, John Fogarty, Jason Harris-Wright, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines, Trevor Hogan, Shane Jennings, Stephen Keogh, Ronan McCormack, Jack McGrath*, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Ed O'Donoghue, Mike Ross, Rhys Ruddock*, Paul Ryan*, Eoin Sheriff*, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, Heinke van der Merwe, Stan Wright
Backs:Shaun Berne, Isaac Boss, Andrew Conway, Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, Shane Horgan, David Kearney, Rob Kearney, Brendan Macken*, Fergus McFadden, Niall Morris*, Isa Nacewa, Paul O'Donohoe, Brian O'Driscoll, Eoin O'Malley, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton
*Denotes Development Contract