Confirmed: Rabah Slimani joins Leinster

Leinster Rugby can this morning confirm the signing of former French international front row, Rabah Slimani.

The tighthead prop, who has played nearly 300 games in the TOP14 with Stade Francais and most recently, Clermont Auvergne, will join Leinster Rugby for the start of their pre-season training programme next week in UCD.

Speaking to Leinster Rugby Leinster Rugby Head Coach, Leo Cullen said of the 57-times capped French prop, "We are delighted that Rabah has decided to join us at Leinster Rugby. He is a player we have long admired with vast experience at the highest level of TOP14, European and international rugby.

"We believe he will be a great addition to the group, not only providing competition for the first team but also helping some of our young front row players learn and develop.

"I am sure all Leinster supporters will join me in welcoming Rabah and his family when they get the opportunity."

The 34-year-old made his French debut in 2013, coming off the bench against New Zealand, and he has lined up against Ireland in the Six Nations on a number of occasions and indeed against Leinster when he played with Stade Francais in the Challenge Cup Final in 2013.

Four years later he won a winners’ medal in the same competition with Stade when they accounted for Gloucester in the final in Murrayfield, and a further two years later he won a second winners’ medal with Clermont when they beat La Rochelle in the final in Newcastle.

Ahead of starting with his new club next week Slimani said, "I’d like to thank Leo and Leinster Rugby for the opportunity to come and join a club with a massive history and a proven record of competing at the very top end of URC and European rugby.

"I am very excited to also experience a new country and a new city to live and to play my rugby and it is one that my family and I are looking forward to.

"We have loved our time in France and in the TOP14 but this is an incredible opportunity to come and join one of the great European clubs and to hopefully help the club achieve what they want to achieve on and off the field."