World Cup winning coach Graham Henry will join Leinster on a short-term contract ahead of the upcoming season in an advisory role, the province has confirmed.
Henry, who led New Zealand to glory on home soil in 2011, will link up with the three-time European champions in July and will “remain with the province for a number of weeks” before the start of the 2016/17 season.
As well as assisting the coaching team, Henry will also liaise with club and school coaches as part of his role and will officially take up the role on 30 July.
Having led the Auckland Blues to two Super Rugby titles, Henry was appointed head coach of Wales in 1998 before leading the British & Irish Lions on their tour to Australia in 2001.
He was appointed New Zealand head coach in 2004, taking the All Blacks to two World Cups culminating in their 2011 triumph.
The 70-year-old said it is a “privilege” to be asked to assist the team, while head coach Leo Cullen also welcomed the move.
“I felt it was important for myself and the wider coaching and playing staff in Leinster to look at different ways of challenging ourselves,” he said.
"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.”
Leinster endured a difficult campaign in Cullen’s first year at the helm.
A win over Bath at the RDS was their sole victory in the Champions Cup as they finished bottom of their pool and suffered a record 51-10 defeat to Wasps.
Their Guinness Pro12 form was at times indifferent, but reached the decider after again seeing off Ulster at the penultimate stage.
The final was a day to forget however from a Leinster perspective as Connacht made history by claiming their first piece of silverware in a 20-10 success at Murrayfield.
Cullen, as stated, backed the appointment and it is hoped the Kiwi will bring a new level of knowledge and expertise to a group that fell below their own high standards on a number of occasions last term.
