TOM DENTON WILL leave Leinster this summer after four seasons with the province, during which he made 48 appearances.
Leinster announced this morning that the 28-year-old has signed a contract with Aviva Premiership club Gloucester, who’ll be playing Challenge Cup rugby in Europe in 2016-17 after finishing eighth in the English top flight this season.
Denton joined Leinster in 2012 from Leeds Carnegie, for whom he made a total of 60 appearances in the Premiership and the Championship. The English-born lock has played 10 times for Leinster this season, including three substitute appearances in the Champions Cup.
Denton says he’s enthused by the opportunity to compete in the Premiership again but he wants to play his part in steering Leinster to the Guinness Pro12 title before he departs.
“I’m very excited about the prospect of returning to England and having another crack at the Premiership with a club like Gloucester, one with a great history but a bright future as well,” said Denton.
“I feel that my game has developed a lot while with Leinster and I know that I’ll need to perform well as Gloucester already have a number of quality second rows.
“However, we’ve got a big semi-final against Ulster to prepare for next Friday in the RDS and my focus is completely on that as I’d love to bring my time at Leinster to a close having helped to secure the Guinness Pro12 title.”
David Humphreys, Gloucester’s director of rugby, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Tom into our environment, and his arrival only makes us stronger as a unit.
“During his time in the Aviva Premiership with Leeds, he proved to be a quality operator, and he has matured and improved whilst with Leinster. I know first hand from my time with Ulster what a quality opponent he is and he will be a welcome addition to our second row ranks.”
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I think bringing Sexton before the NZ game was a bad idea. Im all for him helping the 10’s develop for international games but it’s easy to imagine that in addition to wanting revenge for the WC there was a subconscious need to avenge Johnny, which would’ve put undue pressure on everyone—just like how the QF was potentially Sexton’s last ever game was probably a massive distraction. Now I’m just an armchair pundit so waffling out of my thoin but the team looked not only physically rusty but mentally defeated. Anyway, wouldn’t be surprised if the pumas beat us. I think 25 will be the year for blooding new players with Andy away
@J M: Why is it always Sextons fault ? His selection hindered the development of younger outhalves. This was the same year he was awarded World Player. So Crowley is having second album woes, and Frawley is not the golden child because of Sexton. Jeese
@Rugbyanbeer: I just think the timing could’ve been better, maybe next year’s 6N. Or perhaps if we had’ve been playing nz last.
I’d love Sexton to get into coaching if that’s what he wanted
@J M: To pin the blame on Sexton for the reasons you’ve outlined is complete and utter nonsense quite frankly.
Watching both Argentina and Australia last weekend, the Irish team will need to box clever. They can run the ball back from anywhere on the pitch – so poor kicking and falling off tackles (an ongoing problem for this group), will be devastating. I presume that Beirne will go back into second row, Ryan to the bench and an alternative 6 promoted. That player needs to have pace and a solid tackling game.
It seems that Aki is going to be dropped (why?) in favour of Henshaw. Can’t afford to lose this one, given that World Cup draw rankings are at stake.
@PatN: Can only see Osborne replacing Aki, with Aki on the bench or vice versa. Aki is still very strong and a key contributor to this team. Last week’s bench needs to be refreshed with younger talent.