LEINSTER LOSE NOT only a savage openside at the end of the season due to Shane Jennings’ retirement, but also a key cultural leader.
The 33-year-old is a standard setter in the province, a no-nonsense, no-bullshit operator who accepts nothing less than total commitment on the training ground, in the gym and on match day.
Jennings is a key part of the furniture at the RDS. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Speak to the younger members of Leinster’s playing staff, even outside the back row, and they’ll tell you of a work ethic they look to emulate.
Jennings is as hard-nosed as they come in his approach to the game, that mental steel extending onto the pitch and exemplified in his breakdown and tackling aggression. We hear he’s been an unbearable nightmare to play against over the last decade and more.
Having left his home province for Leicester in 2005, spending two seasons in England and winning a Premiership title in 2007, Jennings returned to Ireland to be an essential driver in Leinster’s rise to the pinnacle of European club rugby.
Three Heineken Cups under Michael Chieka and Joe Schmidt, as well as two Pro12 title and an Amlin Challenge Cup have been ample reward for this diligence and durability, although Jennings is keen to grow that collection before signing off.
I have been fortunate that I’ve been at a club that has had a lot of success with all the Heineken Cups, 2009 being the first one,” said Jennings after announcing his decision yesterday. “Saying that, I would like to finish on a high.
“That is my focus for the rest of the year, to try and do as much as I can do to help the squad, help the team to win trophies and it would be great to finish on a high.”
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He wasn’t likely to admit plans to put the feet up for the remainder of his last Leinster contract, but this is more than lip service from the flanker. The St. Mary’s clubman may be past his peak physically, but there is still expertise to offer in the coming months.
Jennings admits the hits are coming harder these days. Colm O'Neill / INPHO
Colm O'Neill / INPHO / INPHO
“It’s been on my mind for a while to be honest and the last couple of weeks probably solidified my decision,” said Jennings of the timeline around opting to retire this summer.
“I had a chat with the guys over the last few days. It’s been on my mind for a while and I’ve certainly taken my time to think about it, think about all the options, what I’m going to leave behind. It wasn’t taken likely.”
Jennings has “absolutely zero” interest in going into coaching, he says, although he has lended a hand in St. Mary’s College over the years, as well as helping his old Leinster teammate Shaun Berne out at Coolmine in a one-off session recently.
There are likely to be offers in that department despite the stated lack of interest, but Jennings’ mind is more focused on the business world, given his MBA and BA qualifications in Business Studies.
IRUPA [Irish Rugby Union Players' Association] get a number of mentions from the back row for their help in preparing for the rugby afterlife.
Jennings taps the wooden table in front of him at the RDS as he states how lucky he will be to retire with his body in decent physical shape, pointing out that others before him have not been.
“I’m fortunate I’ll able to play a bit of golf when I’m finished, rather than hobbling around or struggling to get out of bed. When you see the genetic freaks that are coming out of school into the academies, beating me up every day, I’m glad to see the back of it.”
Jennings leadership will have to be replaced at Leinster. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
Keeping his body in condition to take the hits hasn’t been as easy in recent years and Jennings admits the constant process of rehab, prehab and recovery takes its toll.
The 33-year-old understandably states he “would have loved to have had 50 caps for Ireland but it is not to be.” 13 international appearances possibly don’t reflect his quality as a player, although that argument is for another time.
At this stage, Jennings is typically honest and understated in telling us he’s just content to have this announcement out of the way.
I’m sick of talking to guys about retiring and I’m sick of thinking about it myself,” said the back row.
“It has been occupying a lot of mind space and I have talked to friends in Leinster, from other clubs that I have played with, and former players about the transition process.
“It’s not easy no matter what; everyone is going to miss it. There has been some good advice and if you are going to do it, just do it. Get on with it and move on.”
You get the sense Jennings will have no problem doing so. Signing off with silverware is the ideal, then he’ll go about making himself a success in the next portion of his life.
Leinster will lose a key leader with retirement of cult hero Jennings
LEINSTER LOSE NOT only a savage openside at the end of the season due to Shane Jennings’ retirement, but also a key cultural leader.
The 33-year-old is a standard setter in the province, a no-nonsense, no-bullshit operator who accepts nothing less than total commitment on the training ground, in the gym and on match day.
Speak to the younger members of Leinster’s playing staff, even outside the back row, and they’ll tell you of a work ethic they look to emulate.
Jennings is as hard-nosed as they come in his approach to the game, that mental steel extending onto the pitch and exemplified in his breakdown and tackling aggression. We hear he’s been an unbearable nightmare to play against over the last decade and more.
Having left his home province for Leicester in 2005, spending two seasons in England and winning a Premiership title in 2007, Jennings returned to Ireland to be an essential driver in Leinster’s rise to the pinnacle of European club rugby.
Three Heineken Cups under Michael Chieka and Joe Schmidt, as well as two Pro12 title and an Amlin Challenge Cup have been ample reward for this diligence and durability, although Jennings is keen to grow that collection before signing off.
“That is my focus for the rest of the year, to try and do as much as I can do to help the squad, help the team to win trophies and it would be great to finish on a high.”
He wasn’t likely to admit plans to put the feet up for the remainder of his last Leinster contract, but this is more than lip service from the flanker. The St. Mary’s clubman may be past his peak physically, but there is still expertise to offer in the coming months.
“It’s been on my mind for a while to be honest and the last couple of weeks probably solidified my decision,” said Jennings of the timeline around opting to retire this summer.
“I had a chat with the guys over the last few days. It’s been on my mind for a while and I’ve certainly taken my time to think about it, think about all the options, what I’m going to leave behind. It wasn’t taken likely.”
Jennings has “absolutely zero” interest in going into coaching, he says, although he has lended a hand in St. Mary’s College over the years, as well as helping his old Leinster teammate Shaun Berne out at Coolmine in a one-off session recently.
There are likely to be offers in that department despite the stated lack of interest, but Jennings’ mind is more focused on the business world, given his MBA and BA qualifications in Business Studies.
IRUPA [Irish Rugby Union Players' Association] get a number of mentions from the back row for their help in preparing for the rugby afterlife.
Jennings taps the wooden table in front of him at the RDS as he states how lucky he will be to retire with his body in decent physical shape, pointing out that others before him have not been.
“I’m fortunate I’ll able to play a bit of golf when I’m finished, rather than hobbling around or struggling to get out of bed. When you see the genetic freaks that are coming out of school into the academies, beating me up every day, I’m glad to see the back of it.”
Keeping his body in condition to take the hits hasn’t been as easy in recent years and Jennings admits the constant process of rehab, prehab and recovery takes its toll.
The 33-year-old understandably states he “would have loved to have had 50 caps for Ireland but it is not to be.” 13 international appearances possibly don’t reflect his quality as a player, although that argument is for another time.
At this stage, Jennings is typically honest and understated in telling us he’s just content to have this announcement out of the way.
“It has been occupying a lot of mind space and I have talked to friends in Leinster, from other clubs that I have played with, and former players about the transition process.
“It’s not easy no matter what; everyone is going to miss it. There has been some good advice and if you are going to do it, just do it. Get on with it and move on.”
You get the sense Jennings will have no problem doing so. Signing off with silverware is the ideal, then he’ll go about making himself a success in the next portion of his life.
– First published 07.00
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Guinness PRO12 Culture Hanging up the boots Hard Nosed Leader Leinster Retirement Shane Jennings standard setter