The 30-year-old will be led by former teammate Leo Cullen, who has been announced as Leinster's head coach, and joined by the experienced Isa Nacewa - who also returns to Dublin after a two-year absence.
It was Glasgow Warriors who took their GUINNESS PRO12 crown in May, beating Munster at the Kingspan Stadium to give retiring skipper Al Kellock the perfect send-off.
He will be missed by Gregor Townsend has been sure to strengthen elsewhere, with Italy flanker Simone Favaro arriving at Scotstoun alongside Newcastle Falcons half-back duo Mike Blair - formerly of rivals Edinburgh - and Rory Clegg.
Ospreys have been relatively quiet in the off-season but head coach Steve Tandy can afford to be pleased with a handful of shrewd investments, including former All Blacks scrum-half Brendon Leonard from Zebre.
Former Wales No.8 Gareth Delve returns to the British Isles after spells in Australia and Japan, while experienced prop Paul James arrives from Bath and tricky winger Kristian Phillips returns to the Liberty Stadium after three seasons at Parc y Scarlets.
Former Wales Under-20s back rower Morgan Allen has gone in the other direction, swapping the Ospreys for the Scarlets, while Aled Thomas returns to Llanelli after a year with Gloucester.
They have also landed a GUINNESS PRO12 winner in DTH van der Merwe, the Canadian winger joining after a try-scoring display for Glasgow Warriors in last season's final.
Danny Wilson has taken the reins at Cardiff Blues and added a North American winger of his own, USA international Blaine Scully arriving from Leicester Tigers.
Former Blues winger Tom James also crossed the River Severn, from Exeter Chiefs, while Samoan international centre Ray Lee-Lo has swapped the Hurricanes for BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.
Zebre have been busy this summer and boast a Super Rugby arrival of their own, Australian international scrum-half Luke Burgess arriving in Parma from Melbourne Rebels.
And there is plenty more international experience in the shape of Argentina prop Bruno Postiglioni and 100-cap All Blacks legend Mils Muliaina, who joins from Connacht.
Their Italian rivals have kept things a little closer to home, Benetton Treviso landing the signatures of Azzurri duo Robert Barbieri and Luke McLean from the English Premiership.
Will Helu and Nasi Manu are the big-name arrivals at Edinburgh, while Nathan Fowles impressed sufficiently during last season's loan spell from Sale Sharks to secure a permanent deal at BT Murrayfield and provide competition for Scotland scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne.
Munster arrivals include former Ireland scrum-half Tomas O'Leary from London Irish, former Gloucester flyer Shane Monahan and All Blacks back Francis Saili from the Blues.
Newport Gwent Dragons completed a double swoop at Wasps, picking up Ed Jackson and Charlie Davies, as well as securing the signature of scrum-half Sarel Pretorius from the Cheetahs.
Flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua has already grabbed a pre-season try for Connacht, who have also added Leinster lock Quinn Roux - on loan from the Boys in Blue last season.
And Ulster, who will have Les Kiss back as director of rugby following the World Cup, welcome Willie Faloon back to Belfast after his three-year stint at the Sportsground.
Follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the GUINNESS PRO12
63x46.png){kind=logo}