David Quinlan has moved from Leinster to Northampton

The presence of Lions centres Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy and Shane Horgan in the Leinster team has left Quinlan struggling to make the line-up.

"You could say I have been fighting the good fight at Leinster for the last couple of seasons," he said.

"But with the quality ahead of me there comes a time when you either give up or move on."

"I suppose this will be the real test. No coach guarantees you a place but I am going there with a clear understanding that if I play well I have been signed as the first-choice number 12."

Quinlan, who has been selected in the Ireland squad to tour Japan next month, is the second departure from Leinster in recent weeks.

Utility forward Aidan McCullen is to join Heineken Cup finalists Stade Francais on a two-year contract.

The 28-year-old Dubliner follows in the footsteps of Trevor Brennan who is now in his third year at the French club.

Meanwhile, former Munster fly-half Jeremy Staunton has been released by NEC Harlequins despite his contract not expiring until next year.

Staunton may be making his exit from the club recently relegated from the Zurich Premiership but fellow Irishmen Gavin Duffy, Simon Keogh and Mel Keane have been retained.

A return to Munster for Staunton has been ruled out as the province has already completed its recruitment for next season.

Meanwhile, Nigel Melville's name has been linked to the vacant Leinster job after parting company with Gloucester on Wednesday.