Former Ireland international Kurt McQuilkin has joined Leinster's backroom staff as defence coach.

Coach Michael Cheika approached the former Leinster captain in recent weeks and he now joins a coaching ticket that includes Mike Brewer and David Knox.

"I received a call right out of the blue from Michael (Cheika) towards the end of last season where I had been working as a Technical Analyst in the IRFU's High Performance Unit," McQuilkin said.

"It was a surprise but a pleasant one at that and I was delighted to accept. It was too good an opportunity to turn down.

"Leinster Rugby is a totally different animal to when I first arrived. The professional running of the team then compared to now is like light and day and I have been really impressed by the facilities and the strength of the squad.

"One of my key objectives is to get a structure on our defence and to look to construct an overall defensive plan that everyone's comfortable with."

The 41-year-old former international centre also captained Leinster to Interprovincial success in 1997/98.

After retiring from competitive rugby he coached the Ireland under-19's to three World Cups.

He also guided the Irish under-21s to a World Cup and Six Nations, spent two seasons as Ireland 7's coach as well as holding coaching positions with the Ireland Development side and Samoa King Country in the NPC for two seasons.

McQuilkin has also coached the Leinster under-20s as well as both Lansdowne and Greystones in the AIB League.

Cheika said: "Defence was an area I identified as one that we needed improvement on, and I am delighted to welcome Kurt to his new role with the province.   has strong links with Leinster and Irish rugby and I wish him well."

Jason Cowman is the province's new Strength & Conditioning Coach.  He replaces Brad Harrington who returns to Australia to take up a position with the New South Wales Waratahs.

Meanwhile, Leinster have also confirmed that Brian O'Driscoll will retain the captaincy for the forthcoming season and head up a new leadership team which includes returning Ireland international second row Leo Cullen and former Waratahs skipper Chris Whitaker.

O'Driscoll said: "I am honoured to have been asked to lead Leinster over the coming season. Leinster is my home province and I believe that there's an enormous amount of excitement around the club at the moment; with the impending return to the RDS coupled with some new signings who will no doubt add great competition for positions right across the panel.

"Already record numbers have bought season tickets for the new season which shows how much faith our loyal supporters have in the team and management. This gives everyone connected with the team a lift. We're all working extremely hard in pre-season and are looking towards building on another improved season in both the Magners League and Heineken Cup."

Leinster will travel to face Biarritz away on the 31st August before embarking on a week's long training camp in Barcelona prior to the start of the new season.

The camp will conclude with another mouth-watering fixture against Bath in The Recreation Ground on Friday, 7th September.

Once the Magners League weekend dates are confirmed there may also be scope to announce details of a home friendly at the start of the season.