Hines returned to Murrayfield on Saturday to take on the club he left for Perpignan in 2005, with his Leinster side inflicting their opponents’ first defeat of the season.

Despite helping the European champions escape with a 21-19 win, Hines was wowed by the improvements Edinburgh have made since his departure, especially in the forwards.

“They are up there with any team in the Magners League, definitely better than when I was here,” he said.

“Their scrum is better than I ever remember it – you can see (coach) Tom Smith’s influence in the forwards – and the backs are more mature and confident, and hard to stop.”