Hines signs for Leinster
Thursday August 13 2009
Michael Cheika has added five new players to the Leinster squad for the new season, writes Donnchadh Boyle.
The inclusion of scrum-half Eoin Reddan, tight-head Mike Ross, out-half Shaun Berne (brother of former Leinster centre Michael) and hooker Richard Strauss had all been well-heralded in advance, while the arrival of Lions and Scotland lock Nathan Hines was finally confirmed yesterday.
With Felipe Contepomi now with French side Toulon, Jonathan Sexton is expected to start the season as first-choice No 10 after his brilliant finish to last season, with Berne providing back-up.
Reddan and Aussie veteran Chris Whitaker will contest the scrum-half position with the talented Paul O'Donohoe, who has just signed his first full professional contract, snapping at their heels.
Leinster will travel to Nice for a week-long training camp in the south of France, which will include a pre-season friendly against Rugby Nice Cote d'Azur on Friday, August 21, before continuing their preparations with a clash with London Irish a week later in Donnybrook (kick-off 7.0).
Their Magners League campaign gets under way with a trip to Parc y Scarlets on September 5.
Elsewhere, four of Connacht's summer signings will make their debut for Michael Bradley's side in tomorrow's pre-season clash with Harlequins at The Stoop.
Kiwi Miah Nikora starts at out-half in a backline which will include Irish sevens player Brian Tuohy on the right-wing, while Bernie Upton will start in the second row with Mike McComish at No 8.
- Donnchadh Boyle
