Leinster have signed former Australian international Owen Finegan on a one-year deal. The Newcastle Falcons backrow is a former teammate of Leinster coach Michael Cheika, who believes he will be positive influence on his young pack.

"Owen's experience and knowledge of the game, coupled with his no-nonsense approach to rugby will be a huge benefit to this Leinster side in its ambitions for 2006/07," Cheika said today.

"His leadership influence on a strong group of young back rows and locks, already at the club, will also add invaluably to Leinster's future.

"I have had the fortune of both playing and coaching Owen and I know that his commitment to playing the game is second to none.

"Couple this with his strong Irish origins and his long time desire to play rugby in the land of his parents where he still has many family ties all leads to Owen making a massive contribution at Leinster in the coming season."

Finegan is a veteran of the ACT Brumbies and holds the try-scoring record for a forward in the Super 12 series, averaging a try every three games in over 90 appearances.

He twice lifted the Super 12 trophy with Brumbies - the second time as captain against the Crusaders in 2004 - before joining the Falcons in 2005.

The 2001 Australian player of the year was capped 56 times by the Wallabies.

Finegan joins compatriot Chris Whitaker, Stephen Keogh and Trevor Hogan in committing to the province for next season.