Joe Schmidt is hopeful Leinster can sign World Cup winner Brad Thorn on a short-term contract.
The 37-year-old has told Leinster he would like to join them on a three-month contract but before anything can happen the Blues must first get permission from the IRFU before working out an agreement with Japanese club Fukuoka Sanix Blue.
Thorn has just completed the first of a two-season deal with the Japanese outfit and Schmidt has revealed Leinster are waiting to hear back from the club over a possible deal.
“He has won most trophies in rugby but nothing in the Northern Hemisphere yet, that is something that might interest him,” Schmidt said.
“Brad is pretty keen to come if it’s possible. That’s the first step. The second step is gaining approval from the IRFU and they have been very good. They can identify the problem themselves that we do have a real shortage in the second row.
“That would be something they would agreeable to, as long as we can get the agreement from the Japanese club. We are waiting for some feedback from them.”
Leinster face Cardiff Blues in the European Cup quarter-final on April 7 and Schmidt is hoping they will have Thorn available, providing a deal can be worked out in the coming weeks.
“Probably in the next week or so as we are working in a tight time frame here," Schmidt said when asked when a deal could be done.
“We would need him by March to get a three-month contract that covers us for the ERC games as well as the Rabo games.”
Thorn has enjoyed a hugely successful career, culminating in a World Cup victory last October, and Schmidt is in no doubt as to what he would bring to Leinster.
“There is not too much Brad Thorn hasn’t achieved in the game of rugby," he added.
“There is a massive respect worldwide in what he brings to a team. That respect obviously extends to Europe, as he has played over here with good success for the All Blacks.”