Cullen returns, lock and stock

Although it was rumoured that Leo Cullen was about to be offered the captaincy at Welford Road, the Ireland secondrow has decided to return to Dublin and again play with Leinster, on a three-year deal beginning next season.

Cullen left Donnybrook two years ago along with flanker Shane Jennings and has recently been a regular with the Leicester Tigers' front-line pack. Jennings too has recently re-signed for the province.

With nine successful years as a professional behind him, Cullen brings a wealth of experience back from Leicester, where he would have played and trained alongside the likes of Martin Johnston, Neil Back, Louis Deacon and Martin Corry.

He has also played at all levels of international rugby from schools up to senior and has won 18 senior caps.

"Leaving Leicester was a difficult decision, and I had to think long and hard about it," said Cullen. "I have really enjoyed my time with the Tigers and I feel that I'm a better player for the experience. The training environment is second to none and it has been great to have been part of such a prestigious club.

"We are still well placed in all three competitions and it would cap off two great seasons personally if I could help play a part in winning some much-sought-after silverware.

"I'm sorry to be saying goodbye to Leicester Tigers but when I got the opportunity to come home to Leinster, I knew the time had come to do so. I'm a Leinsterman born and bred, my family and friends are all here, and this is where I want to be."

The Wicklow native has played 83 times for Leinster (including 36 Heineken European Cup games) since his debut, in 1998 against Edinburgh. Since moving to England in 2005, he has made 45 appearances, 10 as captain, for the two-time European champions.

At 29 years of age Cullen is in his prime. He will vie for a place at Leinster with Malcolm O'Kelly, Trevor Hogan, Owen Finegan, Cameron Jowitt, Adam Byrnes and young Devin Toner. And while coach Michael Cheika will hardly keep all those next season, Cullen's arrival will increase competition for play time. He is the fourth player to commit to the province in recent weeks, following captain Brian O'Driscoll, outhalf Felipe Contepomi and Jennings.

"Now I am committed to returning to Leinster, I am very excited about the future," added Cullen. "These are good times for the province, there is a great coaching set-up in place and a young, very talented group of players. I want to be part of that again and it would mean a lot to me to win a major trophy with Leinster."

Leo Cullen

Born:Co Wicklow

Date of birth:January 9th, 1978

Height:6ft 6ins (1.98m)

Weight:17st 12 lbs (114 kilos).

Position:Lock (number 8 at underage).

Representative honours: Leicester caps 45; Leinster caps 83; Ireland caps 18