Two of Leinster’s newest signing’s Kane Douglas and Rugby Union convert Ben Te’o have admitted having interaction with the new Wallabies coach before signing for the Guinness Pro12 Champions.

Both new signings spoke yesterday at Leinster HQ at UCD, ahead of this Friday's Pro12 clash with Edinburgh at the RDS.

Cheika had coached Leinster from 2005 and left at the end of the 2009/10 season having claimed the old Heineken Cup.

Te’o, who has switched codes from Rugby League, where he won the NRL Premiership with South Sydney Rabbitohs, admits he always wanted to make the switch at some point and is glad he spoke to Cheika.

“Going to Rugby Union has always been at the back of my mind and whether I could crack it and I didn’t want to retire and not know that.”

“I decided to give it a go and through talking with my manager and meeting with Michael Cheika, he recommended to come here.”

“This is the best place in Europe to come and learn how to play rugby, it’s a successful club and Cheika pretty much sold it to me.”

Meanwhile Te’o has dismissed talk of him being under pressure in his new position.

He’s been brought to Leinster as a full time replacement for Brian O’Driscoll.

Big boots to fill, one would imagine but Ben says he’s looking to bring his own game to the famous number 13 jersey and insists he isn’t going to be pressured.

“There is no pressure at all and I haven’t felt that since I got here.” Te’o said.

“I think when people mention my name with Brian’s, I just think they mean that I’m going to come here and play in the 13 jersey.”

“I don’t think there’s anyone comparing abilities, I’m here to play my own game, I think I bring a different set of skills to the table and that’s why Matty (Matt O’Connor) brought me over here, just to not be like anyone else.”

Meanwhile, Kane Douglas says he had to make a really tough decision to leave Australia with a view to his international career.

ARU rules state that you cannot play for the national team while playing for a club outside the country.

However he says that his former Waratahs coach turned Wallabies coach Cheika had given him all the right reports about going to Leinster.

He was also pleased about getting to sit down with current Leinster coach Matt O’Connor in the summer.

“I knew Leinster was going to be a good club to come to and from all reports it was a good set-up and it is, so I’m happy to be here.” Douglas said.

“Cheika said, at least you’re going to a good club, he was probably a bit upset that I was going but he liked his time here so again said you’re going to a good club.”