Gibson to make Heineken debut against Leinster

Daryl Gibson takes his Heineken Cup bow for tournament newcomers Bristol Shoguns in Dublin on Friday night after travelling halfway around the world in search of new challenges.

Bristol tackle Leinster at Donnybrook with the 19-times capped All Black and Canterbury Crusaders centre declaring: "I've joined Bristol because I want to continue playing rugby at a competitive level and I also want to experience a different style of rugby."

"I've been looking for a new challenge and with the Shoguns in the Heineken Cup, which is Europe's equivalent of the Super 12, I'm looking forward to it. Cross-border rugby has really helped improve the standard of rugby in New Zealand.

"I would have thought that the Heineken Cup would do the same here. I'd had a number of other offers but with Bristol having their first taste of the Heineken Cup this season, that clinched it for me."