Look up ‘Good, honest pro’ in a rugby glossary and you will see the name: Shane Jennings.
Leinster and Ireland flanker Shane Jennings is to retire from professional rugby at the end of this season.
The announcement was made by the 33-year-old at Leinster’s press briefing, today, at the RDS. Jennings was joined by Leinster coach Matt O’Connor, who paid tribute to his dedication, and standard-setting, to the Blues.
Jennings has played 11 seasons for Leinster and had a successful spell with English Premiership side Leicester Tigers. He won a league title with Tigers, as did fellow Irishmen Leo Cullen and Geordan Murphy, before returning to his hometown club.
He won three Heineken Cup trophies with Leinster, two league titles and a Challenge Cup. He has captained the club on numerous occasions and could yet top the 220-appearance mark by season’s end.
He got his first Ireland cap at the not so tender age of 26, in 2007, and went on to play 13 times for his country. He was included in Ireland’s 2011 World Cup squad and won plaudits from teammates for repping the likes of David Pocock and Sam Warburton in Declan Kidney’s intense training session.
He started against Russia in Rotorua and scored a fine try in the second half. He returned from the tournament in New Zealand and, though his Test appearances [training and matches] were then fleeting, he was vital in Leinster’s success.
He teed up Brian O’Driscoll for the winning try against Munster in last season’s PRO12 clash at the Aviva Stadium [below]. It was a move – strong carry, offload, setting a teammate up for the glory – that epitomised his contribution to the game.
Injuries aside, has been a key figure in Leinster’s bid, this season, to once again retain their league title.
Swift’s long run
To ruin our Thursday buzz even more, Connacht lock Michael Swift has announced he will retire, too, at the end of the season.
The 37-year-old commented, ‘Whilst I’ve known this was coming for quite some time, it’s still quite surreal to think I’ll soon be saying goodbye to the team and the lads I’ve played with for so long. Connacht Rugby has been a huge part of my life for over 15 years and it’s difficult to imagine no longer being involved.’
Connacht assistant coach Dan McFarland said, ‘But not only would Swifty run through brick walls for his team mates, he has also been a great player, transforming himself from an athletic back rower to a hard hitting lock.’
