Leinster keen to land Kiwi Thorn on short-term deal

Leinster should know within a matter of days whether they have been successful in their attempt to secure the signature of former All Black and World Cup winner Brad Thorn on an emergency short-term contract.

The European champions are painfully short of personnel in the second row with captain Leo Cullen out for up to three months following surgery on his Achilles and Stephen Sykes having returned to South Africa.

Damian Browne — who is playing despite a shoulder problem — and Devin Toner will have to carry the majority of the workload in the interim with the inexperienced pair of Mark Flanagan and Ciarán Ruddock the only current backup on offer.

Thorn is 37 now and plying his trade with Fukoaka Sanix Blues whose season has just ended. According to Joe Schmidt, the player is eager to sign, the IRFU are on board and Leinster are merely awaiting a decision from his Japanese employers.

“We are really left short in the second row right now but at this point of the season everyone is pretty much contracted,” said Schmidt. “So is Brad Thorn, so for us to entertain the thought that we might get him depends on Sanix releasing him for the three-month break they have.

“Hopefully we can entice Brad over here to do something he hasn’t done before ...

“I think Brad would be interested. He has won most trophies in rugby but not in the northern hemisphere yet.”

Leinster have until March 22 to register Thorn or any other potential stopgap in time for the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Cardiff Blues on April 7. Another possible target mentioned recently has been Sebastien Chabal.

‘The Beast’, who can play at lock and number eight, has departed Racing Metro in the last week and is free to join another club.

Schmidt refuted suggestions that the Frenchman had been approached but admitted he was open to any and all possibilities.

As for Cullen, the latest update is that he will be ready to clock back in some time in April and so too it seems will Brian O’Driscoll who, it was feared would miss the entire season after undergoing shoulder surgery prior to Christmas.

There is light at the end of the tunnel too for Luke Fitzgerald who has not featured for Leinster since St Stephen’s Day because of a neck injury.

The Blackrock back will not be risked for Thursday’s PRO12 visit of Treviso but should line out the week after against Scarlets.

Back rows Dominic Ryan should be able to play some part at the RDS in two day’s time after his three-month layoff while Kevin McLaughlin may also feature in that department after shaking off a neck complaint.