Jennings out of Irish training camp

IRELAND back row Shane Jennings will miss the Ireland squad pre-season camp in Spala, Poland with a thumb fracture. The Leinster player undergoes surgery today and will be out of action for up to six weeks.

He picked up the injury in the second test against Argentina during Ireland’s summer tour and had an X-ray and an MRI scan of the thumb on his return to Dublin. The x-ray was clear and the scan merely showed a small amount of bony bruising with no break.

Upon return to preseason training, the thumb injury flared up again and a repeat scan revealed a small fracture. This requires surgery to fix the fragment of bone. Following the operation, the thumb will be put in a cast for the duration of recovery and will limit Jennings’ participation in the Ireland pre-season conditioning programme.

Jennings will also be ruled out of the Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Scotland on August 11.

Connacht’s pre-season friendly against South Africa on August 21 is sold out, although a number of tickets will be set aside for season ticket holders.

A section of the Bohermore Terrace area at the Sports Grounds, will be reserved for new season ticket purchasers.

The Connacht Branch reports that season tickets have been selling well, but commercial manager Fiona Keys stressed that an option to buy extra tickets for the ‘Boks game would be strictly on a first-come first-served basis.

She observed: “There has been a huge response to the South Africa match and to the season ticket campaign.

“The fact that a season ticket also includes the pre-season games against Castres on August 28 and September 1 is an added bonus and that is before the Magners League and European Challenge Cup even kicks-off,” she said.

Season tickets are available on line on www.ticketmaster.ie as well as www.connachtrugby.ie. They are also available through the Branch offices at the Sports Ground.

Meanwhile, Rory Best has deposed his brother Simon as captain of Ulster Rugby for next season, although Simon has been nominated as vice captain.

Said Ulster coach Mark McCall: “This season sees some degree of change for Ulster Rugby with a new assistant coach in Steve Williams, a team manager in David Millar and now the appointment of Rory Best as captain.

“Simon has done an outstanding job over the past two seasons and he will provide Rory with invaluable advice and guidance.

“That said, Rory is his own man, and a natural successor — he has matured tremendously as a player over the past couple of the seasons and is a hugely-respected and popular member of the squad.

Best responded: “This is a tremendous honour for me, I’m delighted to accept the position. It’s nice to know that I’ve got Simon watching my back.”