Tullow Tank Seán O'Brien is set to play for Naas RFC in Division 1B of the Energia AIL this season.
O'Brien, 35, returned home from an injury-hit spell with London Irish in the summer, having retired from playing at a professional level to join Leinster as a contact skills coach.
The 56-times capped former Ireland star returned to the province where he played in the back row for over a decade.
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The Carlow man, a two-time British and Irish Lions tourist, was keen to play for his hometown club Tullow, but his request was rejected by the Leinster branch under welfare rules.
Regulation 5.7 states that players cannot return to junior rugby for two years after they finish up as a pro.
However that rule has no impact on the AIL and O'Brien will line out in the Naas colours when he gets the opportunity.
Naas are coached by former Munster and Leicester back Johne Murphy, who hails from Kildare, and who led the club to the final of the Division 1B final last term when they lost to Shannon.
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