Finegan joins Leinster as part of shake-up

In case you failed to notice last season, the Australians have invaded Leinster rugby. The province have finally confirmed the signing of World Cup-winning flanker Owen Finegan on a one-year deal.

Finegan, a second generation Irishman, joins fellow retired Wallaby Chris Whitaker after a disappointing season with the Newcastle Falcons.

The 34-year-old captained the ACT Brumbies to their second Super 12 title in 2004, but he is perhaps best remembered for the outstanding individual try that crushed the French spirit in the 1999 World Cup final.

He will vie with Cameron Jowitt and Munster exile Stephen Keogh for the number six jersey, which should make for some interesting pre-season activity on the training paddock.

Finegan may also be used at lock, considering Bryce Williams (signed for Bourgoin) and Ben Gissing, along with another 12 squad members, have been released as Michael Cheika moulds the squad to his liking.

Emmet Byrne, David Blaney and Brian O'Meara are the notable regulars to depart, along with a host of younger players.

Leinster are seeking a prop, hooker and scrumhalf. Two foreign front-rowers are on trial, while the third scrumhalf contract is likely to be decided between Matt D'Arcy, Cillian Willis and English under-19 international Derry Coughlan.

Former Leinster outhalf Andy Dunne is another player currently training with the squad, having recently severed ties with Bath Rugby.

Des Dillon has also returned from a loan period with the Ospreys.

Eight players have been awarded development contracts, including recently graduated Blackrock College schoolboy Luke Fitzgerald.

The Leinster pre-season begins with a home game against London Irish on August 25th.

Jeremy Staunton's battle to retain the number 10 jersey at Wasps has just got more difficult with the news that the London club have signed Newcastle outhalf Dave Walder on a three-year deal.

Walder, who has won four Test caps since making his international debut in 2001 and is a regular for the England 'A' side, was released by Newcastle at the end of last season after seven years at Kingston Park.

South Africa's injury list, which already included flanker Schalk Burger, lengthened yesterday when lock Bakkies Botha and centre Jean de Villiers were ruled out of the away Tri-Nations matches against Australia and New Zealand.

Botha may require surgery for the calf injury he suffered at the end of the Super 14. He has been replaced by Johann Muller, the Natal lock, who won his first cap against Scotland recently.