Jennings aims to be top cat with Tigers

LEICESTER TIGERS coach Pat Howard has tipped new signing Shane Jennings for the top.

After moving from Leinster, Jennings has already thrown down the gauntlet to three others - Will Skinner, Luke Abraham and Lewis Moody, who is prepared to make a switch from 6 to 7 if Leicester require it - fighting to take over from legendary No 7 Neil Back

Moody is still recovering from injury, while the former Leinster player has easily been the most impressive of the chasing pack.

“The competition for places in the back three is enormous but, since his arrival, Shane has been all over the ball, making breaks and doing all the things you would want of a number seven,” said Howard.

“Everyone has been competitive but Shane has been the outstanding one out of a list of very good candidates. We didn’t play very well against Connacht last week, but Shane did play very well, and he has translated what he’s doing in training on to the pitch.”

Jennings, therefore, is given another chance to nail down a spot in the Leicester starting XV when he lines out against Munster at Welford Road tomorrow night (7.45).

The player is delighted with both the compliment from Howard and the opportunity. Equally, he is aware he must continue to fight to retain his position.

Yet, it is a challenge he relishes and, perhaps, that’s part of the reason why he left Dublin to play in the east midlands of England.

“It was a hard decision to leave home, to leave the family and to leave Leinster, where I had four great years. But I needed to get out of the comfort zone a little bit; to see what else was out there, to find out whether I needed to push myself a bit more with a new challenge. It’s a different challenge, one that I’m trying to get my head around, but I see it as a major opportunity to come to a club as successful as Leicester.”

Jennings had, of course, already seen what affect Leicester had on Geordan Murphy, and Murphy on Leicester.

“When you look outside your own environment, look at the possibilities of moving on, there couldn’t really be a much better club to move to than Leicester. They have a great record, a great tradition and have produced countless internationals for England.”

Not that Jennings has any notion of switching the green of Ireland for the white of England - even if it were possible - which it isn’t. Having represented Ireland at schools, U19, U21 and A levels, he wants to put himself firmly in the shop window for Eddie O’Sullivan.

With Leinster, he was watched and admired, but competition for back row places in Ireland is as cluttered as it is in Leicester. That’s why high-profile exposure in the English premiership, and quality performances to match, are currently the only thing on Jennings’ mind.

“It’s nice to get compliments from Pat Howard, but I have to go on proving myself and I have to do everything to turn myself into a better player. If I do that, if I’m recognised back home then it will be great. The battle begins within the club. Lewis is lurking in the background, while Will, Luke and myself push through the limits to nail down a spot in the side. I’m competing against very good players, so it’s going to be very hard to establish and keep a place.”

If hard work is half the battle, Jennings has a real chance of doing that.

“I have always been a hard worker, and that was in my mind particularly when I came here. You have to earn your stripes, get respect from the rest of the players. You’ll get the credit if you keep your head down and work hard.”

Apart from the new challenge, Jennings is also appreciative of the change of scenery. In Dublin 4 a few months ago, he could walk around virtually unrecognised. These past few weeks, it has been the same in Leicester, but maybe not for long.

Jennings knows that Leicester players are held in high regard by thousands of rugby fans. “They are readily identifiable and it all makes for a high profile for the game here. I suppose, in a sense, Leicester is a bit like Limerick.”