Hooker Fogarty to join Leinster

Connacht hooker John Fogarty will join Leinster at the end of the season but the province have made provision for the loss by extending the contract of Ireland A number two Adrian Flavin.

Fogarty has spent five years at Connacht since joining from Munster but will now challenge aging Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman and 26-year-old Brian Blaney for a starting berth in Michael Cheika's side.

The blow has been softened somewhat by two-year contract extensions for Flavin, and props Robbie Morris and Ronan Loughney, while the province has also signed former Irish U-21 international hooker Sean Cronin, who joins from Munster.

"Connacht offers players of the calibre of Sean Cronin the opportunity to develop and we are delighted to have him on board,' said Connacht CEO Gerry Kelly today.

Kelly also paid tribute to Fogarty, saying: "John has been a great player for Connacht over the past few years and we would like to wish him the best in his career with Leinster."

© 2008 The Irish Times