Leinster have reportedly signed an Australian international… and he’s a flanker

This is bonkers.

Leinster are absolutely stacked with back row options. Ryan, Ruddock, Heaslip, O'Brien, Murphy, Conan, Leavy, Deegan, Connors, Timmins... Fardy? Stacked. So it may come as a gigantic surprise to hear Australian flanker Scott Fardy's comments to the Canberra Times today. The Wallabies star has told the newspaper he will join Leinster at the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season. He said:

"It's still a big year ahead at the Brumbies and I'm looking forward to the season ahead in Canberra. "I'm also excited about the chance to join Leinster next season. But I've got a lot that I want to achieve at the Brumbies and it should be a great year with the boys."

Many would argue that Leinster have back-rows coming out of their ears but Leo Cullen and Stuart Lancaster could argue that Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Jack Conan, Jordi Murphy and even Dan Leavy will be regularly in Ireland camp over the coming months and years. Fardy can also cover second row and his versatility may have been key in getting the two-year deal over the line. News of the 32-year-old's signing comes on the back of Wednesday's announcement that captain Isa Nacewa would be staying on with the province for another year. Fardy has played 39 times for Australia and started in the 2015 World Cup final loss to New Zealand. He could still feature for the national team at the 2019 World Cup because he has played enough seasons in the country. https://youtu.be/KJ0cptQD_Nc