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Early Homecoming For Quinlan

Early Homecoming For Quinlan

Recently-capped Ireland centre David Quinlan makes a swift return to Donnybrook on Friday night for a friendly against former club Leinster.

David Quinlan trys to fend off Munster’s Jerry Flannery

Recently-capped Ireland centre David Quinlan makes a swift return to Donnybrook on Friday night for a friendly against former club Leinster.

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The lure of a “new challenge” for the 27-year-old back proved too much in May when he signed a two-year contract with Northampton Saints. Crowded out of contention for a first-team place at Leinster, Quinlan won his first two caps for Ireland on the recent tour to Japan, and is looking forward to cementing his position in the Northampton midfield ahead of their Guinness Premiership opener against Leicester on Saturday week.

He told the club’s website: “I have settled in really well. The players have been very welcoming and hospitable. The coaching and support staff have also helped me fit in. My priority now is to get on well at Northampton and play as well as I can.”

With a fair bit of banter expected between Quinlan and his old team mates, the Dubliner added: “I’m not sure how the banter will go! I think it will be positive and good natured stuff from the crowd, but I am not sure what the banter will be like from the team.

“Northampton should expect a really tough match. Leinster have played Premiership teams for the last three or four years for pre-season and won two or three of those games. Leinster will want to play exciting, fast-flowing rugby, similar to the way Northampton try to approach each game.”