Following a second trophy-less season, Leinster have move to add some experience to their ranks and have today confirmed the temporary appointment of World Cup winner Graham Henry, 70, to their coaching ticket.
The former Wales coach will spend time with the first team for a number of weeks before the start of the new rugby season.
Henry, who guided the All Blacks to the World Cup in 2011, will join up with Leo Cullen's Leinster who are looking for "different ways" to challenge themselves, according to a statement on LeinsterRugby.ie
Cullen said:
This isn't by any means a first for Leinster Rugby and I felt it was important for myself and the wider coaching and playing staff in Leinster to look at different ways of challenging ourselves.
To that end I am delighted that Graham has decided to work with us and I would like to publicly thank the Professional Games Board in Leinster for their support with this decision.
Everyone in the organisation will benefit from his expertise and undoubtedly the coaches and the players will benefit from having a coach of his stature in and amongst us as we build towards the new season.
As part of the deal, Henry will also speak with club and schools coaches as part of a series of events organised by Bank of Ireland and BDO - which will likely help fund the New Zealander's jaunt to Dublin.
Leinster Rugby delighted to confirm appointment of Sir Graham Henry as a Consultant https://t.co/db50JCsvS9 pic.twitter.com/uCZtFYM5K8
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) July 1, 2016
It is likely that Henry's inclusion in the Leinster ranks will see him have less involvement with matters on the field, and more input in helping guide what is still a relatively inexperienced coaching team of Cullen, Girvan Dempsey, John Fogarty and Kurt McQuilkin.
Dempsey has been spending time in the last month in New Zealand where he has been studying the operations of a number of club and Super Rugby teams in a bid to accelerate his own coaching development.
Commenting on his appointment, Henry said:
It's a privilege to be asked to assist Leo and his team at Leinster, a club with such a rich and proud history.
Leinster will be looking for improvements on a relatively disappointing campaign where, despite winning the PRO12 league, they lost out in the playoff final to Connacht and it is hoped that the Kiwi's input will have Leinster looking for the key to their trophy cabinet once again.
