Magners League Official Website : Jennings off to Leicester

Shane Jennings

Jennings off to Leicester

8 April 2005, 1:40 pm

By Jonathan McConnell

Leicester Tigers have signed talented flanker Shane Jennings from Leinster.

Twenty-three-year-old Jennings, who came off the bench against the Tigers in the Heineken Cup triumph over Leinster last Saturday, will join the club for the start of the 2005/06 season.

The arrival of Jennings at the club will offset the loss of veteran No.7 Neil Back, who will join the coaching staff on a full-time basis from next season, as well as the possibility of Tigers being without England stars Lewis Moody and Martin Corry, both of whom are expected to be on Lions duty later this year, which will see them make a late start to '05/06.

"We've done a lot of homework on Shane, as an individual and in the Leinster team," said Pat Howard, who will take over the coaching reins from John Wells at the end of this season. "He's a different sort of player to Neil Back, he can break defensive lines and he's only 23 years old.

"It's important to have depth in our squad and the back row is one position where international call-ups and injuries can play a major role."

Jennings made his senior debut for Leinster in 2002, graduating to their Heineken Cup side just over a year later. He has won over 40 Leinster caps - in the Heineken Cup and Celtic League and Cup - whilst he has represented Ireland A, Ireland Under-21, Ireland U19, Ireland Schools and Leinster U20 and U21s.

"I was delighted when my agent told me there was a chance that Leicester would be interested in me," admitted the St. Mary's College product. "Leicester are one of the top clubs in Europe and I will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Neil Back, Lewis Moody and the current England captain Martin Corry on a permanent basis - all of which can only make me into a better player."

Shane, who captained Leinster during the 2003 World Cup, is aware that he faces a tough battle to make a name for himself at Tigers, but it could, perhaps, serve as a springboard to international honours - in the same way that London Wasps No.7 Jonny O'Connor earned his first Ireland test caps.

He added: "I'd love to earn my stripes here, but first I have to win over the coaches, my new team-mates and the supporters at the club and prove to them that I deserve to be a Tigers player. I'm aware that a lot of hard work lies ahead, but I'm determined to be part of a successful club next season."