Tigers move reignites Tierney's World Cup dream

Scrum-half Tom Tierney is preparing to fight his way into Ireland’s World Cup squad after signing for Zurich Premiership champions Leicester Tigers.

The 25-year-old’s international career has faltered since he first broke into the Irish side in 1999 because of a number of injuries, but Tierney has now been handed an opportunity to reach those heights again by Tigers coach Dean Richards.

Tierney, along with fellow new signings Franck Tournaire and Rhys Williams, was unveiled at Welford Road yesterday as Leicester began their preparation for the new season.

The Irishman has not played for his national side since Ireland were demolished 50-18 by Lloyds TSB Six Nations opponents England at Twickenham two years ago, but with next summer’s World Cup fast approaching, Tierney believes the transfer has come at the perfect time for him.

‘‘It’s a huge opportunity for me to play with the best team in Europe,’’ said the man signed from Heineken Cup finalists Munster.

‘‘It was very difficult to leave Munster because I started my career there, but I felt that I needed a fresh start.

‘‘With the World Cup coming up next October, I feel that if I can do well here I can hopefully push into the Irish squad.

‘‘I’ve been very unfortunate with injury over the last two years but I’m back to full health and I feel it’s a great time to start with a new club.

‘‘I’m confident I can get back into the Ireland set-up but it’s all about getting games. If I can get regular first-team rugby here then I don’t see why not.’’

Tierney has eight full caps and has captained Ireland A but his club rugby has also been disrupted by a niggling shoulder injury.

The Limerick-born star was forced to watch from the sidelines as new club Leicester beat Munster in this year’s Heineken Cup final, during which current Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer wore the number nine shirt for Munster.

The Tigers will be challenging for an amazing third-successive Heineken Cup triumph next season but for Tierney it would be a unique experience to claim Europe’s top prize.

‘‘It would be great for Leicester to win three but it would be my first, so that would be brilliant,’’ he said.

‘‘From what I’ve heard from the backroom staff, the club want to win it all again next year. They just want to be the best team in England and Europe.

‘‘I’ve absolutely nothing to lose. I know my own ability and I know that I’m good enough to play for Leicester. It’s nice to know that the Leicester backroom team have faith in me as well.’’

Tierney said the option of moving to Welford Road was not one he could turn down.

‘‘It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the Premiership,’’ he said.

‘‘When someone as big as Leicester are interested in you it’s a big boost for your confidence and it’s very easy to make a decision.

‘‘There are so many big names here, it’s like a ‘Who’s Who’, and that can only help my game.’’