Dagg would command top-end wages, but the potential departure of Kirchner and the retirement of Luke Fitzgerald has given Leinster room to manoeuvre. Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

All Black Israel Dagg has emerged as a transfer target for Leinster but the province face stiff competition for the full-back's signature.

The star 28-year-old, who started on the right wing against Ireland on Saturday, is understood to have met with the province last week while in Dublin for the game.

Zane Kirchner is out of contract at the end of the season and looks likely to move on, and World Cup winner Dagg would be a significant coup for Leo Cullen and the province.

The deal is far from done, however, with the outside back attracting interest from France - Toulon are one of up to six Top 14 clubs chasing his signature.

Dagg would command top-end wages, but the potential departure of Kirchner and the retirement of Luke Fitzgerald has given the province room to manoeuvre.

Any deal would be dependent on IRFU approval and the union's performance director David Nucifora may not be impressed with the idea of one overseas signing replacing another.

He blocked a new contract for Springbok Ruan Pienaar at Ulster earlier this season in an attempt to develop Irish-qualified talent, while Australia captain Stephen Moore's move to Munster failed to earn his approval last year.

After reclaiming his place in the New Zealand team this year, Dagg terminated a clause in his contract that allowed him to exit at the end of this calendar year which allows him to face the Lions in June, but his deal expires at the end of next season.

Irish Independent