France prop Rabah Slimani puts off retirement to sign two-year deal with Leinster

French publication La Montagne spoke to the 34-year-old tighthead who confirmed the move, while his coach at Clermont Auvergne revealed that the deal to move to Ireland had been so good for the Parisian that the club released him from the contract he’d signed to stay next season as a coach.

Slimani will replace Michael Ala’alatoa who will join Clermont next season after three years in Ireland.

“Last season, Rabah (Slimani) signed a coaching contract with us,” Urios told La Montagne.

“Then, he told us of his desire to play again, but we couldn’t match the two years offered to him by Leinster (Ireland).

“There you go, we now have to break this contract between us and we won’t hold it back. I told him that it was an incredible opportunity for him to go and play there.”

Slimani will join RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett as the overseas signings in the Leinster ranks next season and the province will be hoping the high quality trio will get them over the line after another season without a trophy.