GLOUCESTER have signed Leinster centre Brendan Macken on loan until the end of the season.

The Cherry and Whites are currently missing a number of backs due to injury and international duty, notably the likes of Rob Cook, Shane Monahan and Henry Trinder who have been sidelined for extended periods.

Cook has been absent since mid-November, while Trinder is set to undergo surgery next week on a knee injury suffered in the early stages of his comeback game against London Welsh last Saturday.

Macken, 23, has represented Ireland at U20 level and also played for Emerging Ireland.

Since making his debut in the 2009-10 season, Macken has made 46 appearances for Leinster, scoring six tries in the process.

Gloucester director of rugby David Humphreys said: "We are currently without a number of backs for various reasons, and we have important fixtures coming up in the remaining weeks of the season.

"The deadline for registering players was on Friday so, with Henry Trinder unfortunately getting injured against London Welsh last weekend, we made the decision to bring in an extra centre.

"I know Brendan very well from my PRO12 days. He is a talented young player who will bring both pace and a physical presence to the midfield. He will arrive in the next couple of days and start training next week."