Irish rugby champions Leinster are keen on picking up former All Black lock Brad Thorn on a short-term contract.
Thorn moved to Japan after the World Cup, but with the season now over, the Fukuouka Sanix Blues are considering releasing the 37-year-old for a temporary period.
Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt is currently struggling for resources in the second row with captain Leo Cullen injured and South African Stephen Sykes returning home.
Thorn is not the only high-profile player on Leinster's shopping list with the Irish Independant newspaper reporting free-agent Sebastien Chabal is an option if the Thorn deal doesn't happen.
