Jennings: Ireland are in good shape

HEINEKEN CUP progress won’t necessarily equate to Six Nations success but Leinster’s Shane Jennings believes the performances of Leinster, Munster and Ulster in Europe this season will nonetheless fuel Ireland’s Test ambitions.

Should Ulster do enough to secure their passage to the last eight in Clermont Auvergne on Saturday, it will give Ireland three representatives in the knock-out stages for the first time.

“Its brilliant. If three teams are going to be in it that’s good for Irish rugby,” said Jennings. “There’s always going to be rivalry there. You’d be a fool not to think there isn’t, because when you go into camp you always want to be top dog.