Rugby: Leinster keen on Brad Thorn

Brad Thorn. Photo / Brett Phibbs

World Cup winning-lock Brad Thorn is being lined up to join Heineken Cup champions Leinster on a short-term contract after the end of the Japanese season next week.

Thorn, who turns 37 on February 3, joined the Fukoaka Sanix Blues on a two-year deal after the World Cup but, with their season wrapping up next week, is reportedly in discussions with Leinster about joining them during the Japanese off-season.

The Irish club, who are coached by former Bay of Plenty coach and Blues assistant Joe Schmidt, lack depth in the second row with skipper Leo Cullen injured and Steven Sykes having returned to South Africa after an unhappy time with the European champions.

Any move would need agreement from Thorn's Japanese club and, according to reports, no official approach has been made.

Thorn played 59 tests for the All Blacks in two stints - he played rugby from 2001-2004 and then again from 2008 - but also established a highly-distinguished rugby league career for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia.

The European competition is considerably tougher than the Japanese one and will mean a lot more travel, something he said he wasn't keen to put his wife and their four young children through when he signed to play in Japan.

Thorn has also battled several niggling injuries during latter part of his career, including a calf problem last year and an ongoing plantar fascia issue.