Boost for Leinster as Cronin signs up for next two seasons

LEINSTER have secured the services of Ireland hooker Sean Cronin for the next two seasons.

The Heineken Cup favourites announced two big moves yesterday, the first a switch from the RDS to the AVIVA Stadium for the European quarter-final home tie against English heavyweights Leicester Tigers.

The second move was for the 24-year-old Cronin, who leaves Connacht at the end of the season and joins Leinster on a two-year deal.

With Richardt Strauss and Jason Harris-Wright already on the books, Leinster have acted swiftly to fill the gap left by the enforced retirement of John Fogarty. In Cronin, described by Leinster coach Joe Schmidt yesterday as “dynamic and talented”, they have captured a hooker capped seven times, who emerged from the Guinness Series as the incumbent-elect at hooker.

Indeed, Leinster’s front row for next season suggests the Ireland one in waiting, with Cian Healy and Mike Ross packing down on either side of Cronin, who left Munster for Connacht in the summer of 2008.

“I am delighted to put pen to paper on a deal to join Leinster this summer and I believe that with the exciting players in the squad, the future looks bright,” Cronin said.

“I have been impressed by Leinster’s displays both in the Magners League and in the Heineken Cup and the province’s ambitions mirror my own. Hopefully I can establish myself in the squad when I join up in a few months’ time.”

Cronin also paid tribute to the province he will leave behind and its head coach Eric Elwood.

“I am grateful for the opportunity that Connacht have given me over the last three years to play for a fantastic club.

“They will continue to grow from strength to strength under Eric Elwood and the existing management team and I will do my utmost to help improve our Magners League standing over the coming months.”

With five younger players, including Sean O’Brien, Shane Jennings, Fergus McFadden and Devin Toner, following Healy in committing their futures to Leinster last week, the province seems well set to build on this season’s successful European campaign.

That will continue at the AVIVA Stadium after the province opted to return to play their home quarter-final against Leicester on the weekend of April 8-10 there rather than the RDS.

With the date and kick-off time set to be confirmed this week by European Rugby Cup officials, the Leinster Professional Board consulted Schmidt and his management team before making their decision and also took into account Leicester’s likely large travelling support and the success of their two previous outings at the new Lansdowne Road arena, when Munster and ASM Clermont Auvergne were beaten in the Magners League and Heineken Cup respectively.

“In our two fixtures in the AVIVA Stadium we have enjoyed two outstanding spectacles with the team inspired to victory by close to 100,000 supporters over the course of both games,” said Leinster chief executive Mick Dawson.

“Existing Leinster season ticket holders will be offered the priority option to purchase tickets for this game and information will be circulated shortly. There will also be a range of family packages and junior tickets on public sale.