Leinster star Jennings eyeing clash with old club Tigers

THE FIRST game of any Heineken Cup campaign is always one to whet the appetite, but Shane Jennings has added reason to count down the days to Saturday’s game ever since Leinster were paired with the Leicester Tigers last June.

This time last year, the St Mary’s man was earning his crust with the Welford Road club along with a horde of other Irish expats before packing his bags and returning to his roots in the summer.

Leo Cullen retraced the very same steps after a season that saw them lift the Guinness Premiership and EDF Energy trophies but fail to overcome Wasps in the final of the Heineken Cup at Twickenham.

“From myself and Leo’s perspective, there is another dimension to the game given how we enjoyed some success with Leicester over the last two years. You can also say the same for Leicester because there are a number of players in their squad who have connections with Leinster. The important thing to remember is that the game is bigger than individuals.

“I’m sure both sets of players are really looking forward to the game. Leicester are a strong outfit, with a huge history in the competition, but they’re only human. We will have massive support again behind us and that will be a big factor in our favour. The most important thing is Leinster’s performance and that we start the competition off strongly in the RDS.”

Jennings’ fond memories of Leicester aren’t confined to the pitch. He forged some strong friendships during his two-year stint in the English midlands but he stresses the point that there will be no mixed emotions come kick-off on Saturday.

Leinster is still his home province. He made his debut with the Dublin-based outfit as long ago as six years back and he has no doubt that both teams will “be kicking lumps out of one another” for the 80 minutes.

While Cullen’s place seems assured — the lock has started all but one of Leinster’s six games — Jennings’ involvement is less certain having vied all season for the number seven jersey with Keith Gleeson.

“Fingers crossed I’ll be involved because Lewis Moody and Martin Corry are two players I really look up to. If you look right across their pack they have huge experience; Julian White, Martin Castrogiovanni and George Chuter to name but three.”

What insight himself and Cullen can bring to bear on the Tigers has been offset by the departure of Pat Howard as coach and his replacement by Marcelo Loffreda but Jennings knows enough to understand that this weekend’s game is a serious test of his home province’s credentials.

“It will provide a massive opportunity to show off all our hard work over the last few weeks and months. There’s great history between the two sides. I remember even from my schooldays going to Donnybrook to see the huge contests between the two clubs.

“I remember the impact Eric Miller — who also played for both clubs — had when he moved, but I’m also aware that the last time Leinster faced Leicester they did a job on us in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup.”

They will at least have the option of throwing Felipe Contepomi into the mix for what would be his first appearance for his club this season.

His country’s prolonged World Cup commitments have prevented the former Bristol player from featuring for Michael Cheika’s side and his absence stretched through to last week’s defeat of Connacht in the Magners League due to his brother’s wedding.

He finally returned to training earlier this week and the squad will be trimmed down to 22 on Friday. Prop Stephen Knoop, who missed the Connacht win, also returns to the fold.

Leinster — forwards: O le Roux, S Wright, B Blaney, B Jackman, JF Gomez, S Knoop, L Cullen, C Jowitt, M O’Kelly, S Keogh, K McLaughlin, K Gleeson, S Jennings, J Heaslip.

Backs: C Whitaker, C Willis, F Contepomi, J Sexton, C Warner, L Fitzgerald, R Kearney, G D’Arcy, B O’Driscoll, S Horgan, G Dempsey.