Leinster Rugby have today announced that flanker Shane Jennings will return home to re-join the province from Leicester Tigers in the summer. Jennings has agreed a three-year contract to return to Dublin. He made his debut for Leinster in 2001 and totalled 43 appearances over four seasons (including 10 in the Heineken Cup) before moving to England in the summer of 2005.
He has since made 43 appearances for Tigers, scoring nine tries.
Leicester Tigers head coach Pat Howard said: "It is a great disappointment that Shane is heading back to Leinster. For both his family situation and current Ireland selection policy, I do understand. He has had two fantastic years here on and off the field and he will be missed."
Simon Cohen, Tigers head of rugby operations, said: "Shane has explained to us that the reasons for wanting to return to Ireland are a mix of personal reasons and a feeling that he is more likely to be selected for Ireland if he is playing within Ireland.
"Our view is that he has developed and will continue to develop by playing for Leicester, but we respect him hugely as a person and as a player, and therefore we have to respect his decision.
"Shane has kept us in the loop throughout and the timing of the decision gives us plenty of time to look for the right quality replacement."
After agreeing the move with Jennings, who has represented Ireland at Schools, U-19, U-21 and A level, whom he captained at the 2006 Churchill Cup in North America, Leinster chief executive Mick Dawson said: "We are delighted to announce that Shane has re-signed with the province. He is an accomplished forward who will add greater competition to the Leinster back row. He has shown outstanding leadership qualities throughout his career and we look forward to welcoming him home to Dublin next summer."
He has since made 43 appearances for Tigers, scoring nine tries.
Leicester Tigers head coach Pat Howard said: "It is a great disappointment that Shane is heading back to Leinster. For both his family situation and current Ireland selection policy, I do understand. He has had two fantastic years here on and off the field and he will be missed."
Simon Cohen, Tigers head of rugby operations, said: "Shane has explained to us that the reasons for wanting to return to Ireland are a mix of personal reasons and a feeling that he is more likely to be selected for Ireland if he is playing within Ireland.
"Our view is that he has developed and will continue to develop by playing for Leicester, but we respect him hugely as a person and as a player, and therefore we have to respect his decision.
"Shane has kept us in the loop throughout and the timing of the decision gives us plenty of time to look for the right quality replacement."
After agreeing the move with Jennings, who has represented Ireland at Schools, U-19, U-21 and A level, whom he captained at the 2006 Churchill Cup in North America, Leinster chief executive Mick Dawson said: "We are delighted to announce that Shane has re-signed with the province. He is an accomplished forward who will add greater competition to the Leinster back row. He has shown outstanding leadership qualities throughout his career and we look forward to welcoming him home to Dublin next summer."
