Nathan Hines is threatening to derail Leinster Rugby's bid for back-to-back Heineken Cup titles - less than 12 months after helping Leinster Rugby claim European club rugby's most coveted title.
The champions will put their title on the line when they meet ASM Clermont Auvergne in the semi-finals at Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux, on Sunday with former Leinster favourite Hines now a key member of Clermont's star-studded squad.
And his inside knowledge of Leinster is a concern as the Irish club chase a third title in just four campaigns.
Leinster outside half Jonny Sexton is wary of what Hines can tell Clermont, stating: "He is still a mate - although we are putting that on hold for the week - but we know the type of threat he is going to bring, he gave this club so much in the years he was here.
"We want to beat him this weekend and he probably has the inside track on a few of our moves in term of the calls we use and we are going to have to talk about that and see if we want to change anything so there might be a bit of extra work there for us."
Hines is bidding to become only the fifth player to collect winners' medals with different clubs and the first to do so in successive seasons since Philippe Carbonneau.
Those to achieve the double so far are Philippe Carbonneau (Toulouse and Brive), Cedric Heymans (Brive and Toulouse), Federico Mendez (Bath and Northampton) and Eoin Reddan (London Wasps and Leinster Rugby).
Meanwhile, Leinster warmed-up for the semi-final by completing a Pro12 double over Ulster Rugby, the Ravenhill club having been in the same Pool as Clermont during the Heineken Cup group stages.
"Ulster are a really good side and they pushed Clermont all the way but Clermont produced it when it really mattered," said Sexton.
"Obviously we are not playing them in their home stadium, and instead in Bordeaux, but they have got some good memories of playing there and we will have to be at our very best this weekend."
