Cheika disappointed with Jennings’ and Gleeson’s omission

LEINSTER coach Michael Cheika has a guilt complex about playing Shane Jennings at number six rather than open side flanker following the latter’s exclusion from Ireland’s Six Nations squad.

Welcoming Leinster’s healthy representation in Eddie O’Sullivan’s squad, particularly the inclusion of youngsters Rob Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald, Cian Healy and Jonathon Sexton, Cheika expressed surprise at the exclusion of two of his most experienced troops, Jennings and Keith Gleeson.

He stated: “The big push for them is to go hard for selection on the 22 player squad to take on Italy. It’s really important that they do, because I know they all want to play for their country and it’s a very positive thing to see young, and not so young, guys being called in at this stage.