Leinster announce 08-09 squad

Leinster have announced their senior squad for the coming season.

The Magners League champions are boosted by the news of two new high-profile signings - South African World Cup winning prop Christoffel Johannes (CJ) Van Der Linde and Australian international back-row forward Rocky Elsom.

Each has agreed a deal with the province and will join up with the squad upon the completion of their international commitments.

Elsom said: "In Michael Cheika, the club has a very sought-after coach and with Alan Gaffney also joining the set-up, it's great for me personally that I am familiar with those two guys. It's very rare to have two coaches of that quality together in any set-up.

"I have seen a good bit of Leinster over the last year and my impressions are that it is a strong and ambitious squad with a lot of promise. The challenge will be to play well in the Magners League and the Heineken Cup competitions next year. "

Leinster Squad 2008/09

BACKS (15): Girvan Dempsey*, Rob Kearney*, Luke Fitzgerald*, Isa Nacewa (Auckland Blues), Shane Horgan*, Gary Brown*, Brian O’Driscoll*, Gordon D’Arcy*, Eoin O’Malley*, Fergus McFadden*, Jonathan Sexton*, Felipe Contepomi, Simon Keogh (Harlequins)*, Chris Whitaker, Chris Keane*

FORWARDS (19): Stan Wright, Stephen Knoop*, Ronan McCormack*, CJ Van Der Linde (Cheetahs / South Africa), Cian Healy*, Bernard Jackman*, John Fogarty (Connacht)*, Brian Blaney*, Malcolm O’Kelly*, Leo Cullen*, Devin Toner*, Trevor Hogan*, Cameron Jowitt*, Stephen Keogh*, Kevin McLaughlin*, Jamie Heaslip*, Sean O’Brien*, Shane Jennings*, Rocky Elsom (NSW Waratahs / Australia)