Alan Gaffney.

Alan Gaffney will rekindle his love affair with Ireland in the summer after today agreeing to become backs coach at former club Leinster.

The Saracens director of rugby announced at the start of the year that he would be relinquishing his post with the Men in Black at the end of the current Premiership season to make way for his good friend Eddie Jones.

Gaffney, who will still maintain a part time role with Sarries, has signed a two year deal to coach the backs at Leinster, the province he led to the Celtic League championship and Heineken Cup quarter finals during the 2001/02 season before enjoying further success with Munster.

Gaffney, who will fill the void left by David Knox, will renew acquaintance with compatriot Michael Cheika, Leinster's head coach who was coached by Gaffney during their Randwick days in the early 1990s.

Gaffney will be joined in the rejigged coaching set up by former Leinster skipper Kurt McQuilkin.

"As has always been the case, I will maintain an involvement with Saracens next season that will see me spending time with the club at agreed periods throughout the season," said Gaffney today.

"But the nature of the role allowed me to explore other opportunities and this will see me renew an association with Leinster.

"I'll also be renewing an old friendship with Michael Cheika - someone I first coached at the Randwick club in 1985. Eddie Jones, myself and Michael are all from the same club and there is a close relationship between all three of us.

"From a personal perspective, this is a good scenario for me and everything has worked out well. I really enjoyed the lifestyle when I lived in Ireland and that was another factor in making the decision. I'm very much looking forward to both roles."

3:51pm Tuesday 18th March 2008

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