Former Munster and Ireland star Denis Leamy has started in a new role as part of Leo Cullen's senior Leinster coaching ticket - as the province's contact skills coach.
Leamy, 39, worked with the Blues as an elite player development officer for the past two years and has now replaced Hugh Hogan in his new post.
The Tipperary man, who made 144 back row appearances for Munster - winning the Heineken Cup twice - and was capped 57 times by Ireland, winning the 2009 Grand Slam and two Triple Crowns, and he played in two World Cups before retiring in 2012 with a hip injury at the age of 30..
"I am thrilled to be Leinster Rugby’s new contact skills coach," said Leamy.
"It is my hope to build on the great work that Hugh Hogan has done over the last four years or so.
"I would like to thank Leinster Rugby for this opportunity. It is an honour for me to be working with one of Europe’s premier clubs and I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead in the coming seasons."
Leamy has been involved with Leinster Rugby age grade sides and the Leinster Rugby ‘A’ team and he was involved with the Ireland under-20 team as defence coach during the 2021 Six Nations.
Leo Cullen welcomed the addition of his former Ireland team-mate to his senior coaching team where he joins Stuart Lancaster, Robin McBryde, Felipe Contepomi and Emmet Farrell.
Cullen said: "Denis has been with us and in and around Leinster Rugby for a few years now so he is well established and is a familiar face, in particular working with some of our younger players in their development. He has been a huge asset to the club.
"The contact skills role is something we see as hugely important to the overall success of the senior team on a number of fronts.
"Denis is someone who has achieved and experienced so much in terms of his own playing career and has accumulated vast knowledge over the years.
"He was a fierce competitor on the field and he will be a great role model for our current crop of players.
"We are all very excited to see what he can bring to the role."
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