GUINNESS PRO12 season preview

Replacing a man who has represented Leinster on 180 occasions and scored 311 points - and pulled on an Ireland shirt a further 133 times - is no easy task.

Te'o will join up with his new teammates at the completion of the NRL season and the Boys in Blue have a tough start to the defence of their PRO12 crown.

Gregor Townsend's Glasgow Warriors, beaten 34-12 at the RDS in last season's final, welcome the two-time reigning champions to Scotstoun to get their campaign underway.

Te'o, 27, has played rugby union in the past and will provide options for Leinster boss Matt O'Connor in the centre.

And O'Connor, who hails from Down Under himself, is excited to see the Auckland-born powerhouse hit the ground running in the GUINNESS PRO12.

"Ben is someone that we have taken an active interest in for some time now, in particular as he made his intentions to change codes some time ago," he said.

"I was home during the summer and met with him a number of times. He is keen and eager to make a lasting impression at Leinster and to develop into a world-class rugby player."

Leinster have also announced the signing of Wallabies lock Kane Douglas, bolstering their already international-laden roster that includes Sean O'Brien, Cian Healy, Rob Kearney and Jamie Heaslip.

However, Glasgow look set to provide a similarly stern test of Leinster's title ambitions this season after further strengthening their squad.

Veteran Scotland prop Euan Murray has rejoined the club after leaving Worcester, while James Downey, who signed from GUINNESS PRO12 rivals Munster, is another notable arrival.

New Munster boss Anthony Foley will be hoping to improve on his side's semi-final finish last season but he has been dealt a blow ahead of the new campaign with the news that hooker Mike Sherry must undergo another shoulder surgery.

Sherry, who had surgery for a shoulder problem in January, went under the knife again last Friday and will be out of action until the New Year, joining Keith Earls on the treatment table after the winger tweaked a knee injury during Ireland's latest training camp.

Meanwhile Ulster, who also fell at the semi-final stages last season, are targeting their pack as an area of improvement after appointing Allen Clarke as their new forwards coach.

The Ospreys, Scarlets and Cardiff Blues will all be hoping to break into the league's top four after finishing fifth, sixth and seventh respectively last time out.

Wayne Pivac, appointed Scarlets head coach after Simon Easterby became Ireland forwards coach this month, is especially eager to make his mark this season.

Ospreys will be the first Welsh side in action this season, taking on Benetton Treviso at the Liberty Stadium on Friday, while Scarlets welcome Ulster the following afternoon.

Edinburgh are another side hoping to improve after a stop-start campaign saw them finish eighth, while Newport Gwent Dragons, who were ninth last term, will be hoping the arrival of former Wales international Lee Byrne from Clermont Auvergne as skipper can boost their chances.

Benetton Treviso and Zebre will both look to make changes as well while former All Black star Mils Muliaina is a marquee arrival after agreeing a one-year deal at Connacht.

Muliaina, 34, retired from New Zealand duty following the 2011 World Cup and will be keen to help the Irish province - and fellow Kiwi, head coach Pat Lam - improve on last season's showing.

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