Jennings' hopes of making World Cup squad get a boost

RUGBY:THE WORLD Cup hopes of Leinster and Ireland flanker Shane Jennings were raised somewhat yesterday following Tuesday's operation on a broken arm.

The injury occurred in the final quarter last weekend in Thomond Park against Munster in the Magners League Grand Final.

Jennings, who was part of Leinster’s Heineken Cup-winning side in Cardiff less than two weeks ago, had his right forearm put in plaster after breaking the radius, and it was reported he would likely remain that way for up to eight weeks. However, doctors are now hoping to remove the cast in just four weeks.

That would take the 29-year-old up to the beginning of July before the cast comes off, leaving him a month to strengthen the arm in time for the four-match series of August pre-World Cup Test matches against Scotland, France (twice) and England.

A natural openside whose work sometimes goes unseen, Jennings came into the European final for Kevin McLoughlin and did enough to put his name to the forefront of Ireland coach Declan Kidney’s thoughts.

The backrow combinations are proving to be one of the most contentious areas of selection.

The Irish squad meet in Carton House in a month from now and Jennings may be there, if not quite up to any contact work. David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip, Seán O’Brien, Stephen Ferris, Denis Leamy, James Coughlan, McLaughlin and Donnacha Ryan, who can also play lock, are all hopeful of a plane ticket to New Zealand.

Jennings has earned nine Irish caps, with his last Test appearance against Australia just short of a year ago in Brisbane.

“The operation went well and like the rest of the players he has a couple of weeks’ holiday and we’ll see him when he gets back,” said a Leinster spokesman.

In Munster, centre/wing Cian Bohane (Dolphin), backrow Shane Buckley (Garryowen), hookers Duncan Casey (Shannon) and Niall Scannell (Dolphin), prop James Cronin (Highfield), lock/backrow Cathal Flaherty (Cork Constitution) have secured development contracts for the 2011-12 season.