Cullen takes Leinster captaincy

Leo Cullen has made 108 appearances for Leinster

Leo Cullen has been appointed as the new captain of Leinster after Brian O'Driscoll decided to step down from the role.

O'Driscoll has captained the Irish province for the last three years and he led Leinster to last season's Magners League title.

Cullen led Leinster on seven occasions last season when Ireland star O'Driscoll was unavailable.

Shane Jennings and Chris Whitaker have been named as vice-captains.

There has been speculation that O'Driscoll could also lose the Irish captaincy following recent comments by new national team coach Declan Kidney.

Cullen is in his second spell with Leinster after returning to the club from Leicester Tigers a year ago.

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The Newtownmountkennedy man has made 102 appearances in two spells for the province.

Meanwhile, new Leinster signing CJ van der Linde will miss the Irish province's opening three Magners League games.

Van der Linde has been suspended for four weeks after being found guilty of dangerous play in South Africa's Tri-Nations game against Australia on Saturday.

The South African will miss the Magners League games against the Blues, Edinburgh and the Ospreys.