I’m relishing Leinster challenge, says Hines

NEW Leinster second-row Nathan Hines has pinpointed the province’s progression from nearly men to European kingpins as a deciding factor in his decision to join from Edinburgh.

The 58-times capped Scotland lock, who made five appearances on this summer’s Lions tour, yesterday declared his transfer from Edinburgh to the Heineken Cup holders as a “dream move”.

“When I was with Edinburgh I knew how good a side Leinster were. The games were always hugely competitive and those tussles certainly left a mark,” noted Hines.

“Leinster were always a good side but the Magners League and Heineken Cup successes in recent years have bred a new culture, and I am determined to work hard and try and become a part of this successful team.

“There’s a real determination in the squad to push on in both competitions and I’m looking forward to improving my game. I see this new challenge as a dream move and my family are looking forward to starting our new life in Ireland.”

Australian-born Hines — who has agreed a two-year deal — will jostle with Malcolm O’Kelly, Trevor Hogan and Devin Toner for a place alongside skipper Leo Cullen in the Leinster engine room.

However, his versatility could see him also lined up to replace the departed Rocky Elsom at blindside flanker, though Sean O’Brien might have a thing or two to say about that.

Meanwhile, Shaun Berne will continue a foreign dynasty of sorts when he lines out for a Leinster side previously graced by his brother Michael.

The 30-year-old former NSW Waratahs fly-half-cum-centre has arrived from Bath, ostensibly as a replacement for Toulon-bound Felipe Contepomi. “Having been at Bath for the last three years I felt that now was the right time for a new start and a fresh challenge and I’m delighted to join Leinster,” said Berne.

“Michael was my coach at Randwick and I’m looking forward to working with him again, but even before the Heineken Cup success in May I was sold on his ambition for the club.

“Obviously now Leinster are the European champions, it has increased my desire to be a part of a successful team. My brother Michael speaks very highly of Leinster from his time here and he told me it was a club that was going places.”

Hines and Berne will be joined at the RDS by hooker Richardt Strauss, who arrives from the Cheetahs, and Ireland tighthead prop Mike Ross.

The latter is one of two former Munster men — along with scrum-half Eoin Reddan, who has inked a three-year deal — who have touched down in Dublin having made their names in the Guinness Premiership after finding opportunities limited in their home province.

Ross made a big impression during his three seasons with Harlequins, culminating in his first senior Irish caps this summer against Canada and the USA.

Despite intense competition for the number three shirt, the former Cork Con man says he has made the right call to join at a “hugely exciting time” for the province.

“It is an incredible opportunity for me to come back to play in Ireland but I know that the competition will be intense to get into the starting line-up with CJ (van der Linde) and Stan (Wright) here already.

“It’s a challenge that I’m looking forward to; I will have to work hard to break into the Leinster team.

“I owe a great deal to Harlequins for the chance that they gave me, but I felt that now was the right time to return to Ireland.”

Leinster yesterday finalised their squad for the coming season, and revealed that academy graduates Paul O’Donohoe (scrum-half) and Jason Harris-Wright (hooker) have been given their first professional contracts.

One vacancy remains on the player roster ahead of Leinster’s trip to France for a week-long training camp in Nice, which will include a pre-season friendly against Rugby Nice Cote d’Azur on Friday, August 21.

They take on London Irish in Donnybrook a week later, ahead of a new season which has already seen 10,000 season tickets for home games at the RDS sold so far.

Leinster squad 2009/10

Backs: S Berne, G D’Arcy, G Dempsey, L Fitzgerald, S Horgan, C Keane, R Kearney, S Keogh, F McFadden, I Nacewa, P O’Donohoe, B O’Driscoll, E O’Malley, E Reddan, J Sexton.

Forwards: L Cullen (capt), J Fogarty, J Harris-Wright, C Healy, J Heaslip, N Hines, T Hogan, B Jackman, S Jennings, S Keogh, R McCormack, K McLaughlin, S O’Brien, M O’Kelly, M Ross, R Strauss, D Toner, CJ van der Linde, S Wright.