Cheika hopeful of Lewis return to Leinster in future

KIERAN LEWIS may be swapping the blue of Leinster for Munster red this summer but Michael Cheika is hopeful that the Dubliner will play for his native province again.

The 26-year centre/wing has earned 60 caps with Leinster stretching back to his debut in 2002 but has found it impossible to nail down a permanent place in the back line.

Trevor Hogan and Stephen Keogh made the reverse journey last summer and Lewis will be hoping he can adapt to his new surroundings with the same success.

“Kieran’s a great guy, a great player and I want him to get as many opportunities as he can, especially in the year that’s in it,” said Cheika. “With the World Cup, I would have loved him to stay with us next year but he made a decision which shows the ambition he has to go forward. We hope to see Kieran go away and maybe one day, a la (Shane) Jennings and (Leo) Cullen, come back to us a better player.”