John Muldoon, capped 222 times by his native province, is to resume captaincy of Connacht which he held from 2009 to 2011 for the forthcoming season.

The 31-year-old from Portumna joined the Connacht set up in 2001, making debut against Munster at Thomond Park in 2004, and recently signed a two-year contract to the summer of 2016.

“It’s a huge honour to captain my home province,” he said.

“It’s been three years since I was last captain and a lot has changed since then so I’m thrilled to have been asked again. I’m excited about leading a great squad in what is a new and challenging season for us.”

Meanwhile, Leinster have increased their options in midfield by signing the New Zealand-born, Samoan rugby league international Ben Te'o from the South Sydney Rabbitohs, owned by Russell Crowe. The 27-year-old has played rugby union in the past and made three appearances off the bench for Queensland in the 2013 State of Origin.

will join once his season with the Rabbitohs concludes. “This is a great step for me personally and is just the type of challenge that I was looking for at this stage in my career,” he said.

Leinster Coach Matt O’Connor said he had been interested in Te’o for some time. “He is a dynamic and explosive ball carrier and that physicality will enhance our offering both in attack and in our defence . . . I think the Leinster supporters are going to like what they see.”