Kevin McLaughlin is relishing the prospect of playing alongside World Cup winner Brad Thorn once Leinster complete the signing of the 37-year-old.
Leinster are working hard to finalise the details of deal which would see the second row move to the Irish province on a three-month loan from Japanese League outfit Sanix.
Thorn has expressed an interest in moving to Leinster and McLaughlin believes he would provide a huge boost to the European champions, who have struggled for cover in the second row this season.
"It's really exciting. We've a bit of a crisis in the second row this season especially now that Leo has got the surgery and I've had to go in there a bit, which I'm happy to do," McLaughlin said.
"But getting a specialist second row who's won the World Cup and done everything there is to do in rugby, it's going to be a huge lift for the squad."
A three-month break in the Japanese League has paved the way for Thorn to join Leinster and assistant manager Richie Murphy is confident a deal can be completed in the near future.
"We're close to finalising a deal," Murphy is quoted as saying in the Irish Daily Mirror.
"Things are looking good."