Schmidt points to Jennings' 'subtle skills set'

RUGBY NEWS ROUND-UP: IRELAND ARE desperately hoping the injury to flanker David Wallace and the subsequent pain of his wrenched…

RUGBY NEWS ROUND-UP:IRELAND ARE desperately hoping the injury to flanker David Wallace and the subsequent pain of his wrenched knee and World Cup dream ending won't come to symbolise Ireland's next five weeks in New Zealand.

But Wallace’s pain has offered a ray of hope for Leinster’s Shane Jennings, his 11th hour call-up arriving to the back drop of Wallace’s prognosis that he would be out for six months.

For the Leinster flanker, his arrival at the Irish camp comes in the knowledge he was not Declan Kidney’s first pick. That disappointment behind him, Jennings will hope opportunity presents itself.

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt may have mixed feelings about losing 14 players to Ireland but believes that while 30-year-old Jennings will not bring Wallace’s skill set with him, he will add plenty to Ireland’s World Cup party.

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“I think what Jenno’s (Jennings) achieved he’s deserving of it. But I wouldn’t say a word against David Wallace,” said Schmidt. “I think he’s a fabulous player. This was likely his last opportunity to play in a World Cup and I think that’s pretty devastating for Wally.

“I honestly am delighted for Jenno. He even came on and made a difference for us against Northampton (pre-season friendly), as he always does. The plan was to give him and Kev (McLaughlin) half a game each, coming back from the international scene. It was great, he came straight on on Friday night and made an impression for us, started to organise our defence a little bit better and gave us a little more impetus.”

There have been questions surrounding Jennings’ power at the highest level and although he is the same weight as Wallace, his strengths are not always visible to any but those at the bottom of rucks. Jennings’ prowess has always been on the ground. Without Wallace’s leg speed and strength he’s an entirely different type of number seven to the Munster man.

“I think Jenno is deceptively powerful,” adds Schmidt. “He’s 105 kilos. He’s not a small man by any means. That doesn’t make him massive but it certainly makes him able to fight his corner. He tends to get in and put guys on the ground very quickly. He doesn’t really necessarily wrestle them up top. He puts them on the ground.

“For Jenno, once you’ve got them on the ground the power game comes out of it a little bit. If you are really efficient at doing that I think that enables him to be really effective.”

Nor is he lacking in compliments from his fellow players, especially after hardening at Welford Road where he spent two years with Leo Cullen and played alongside Neil Back, Lewis Moody and Ben Kay. The latter said Jennings was the best openside flanker he ever played with.

“When he carries he has a few subtle skills,” adds Schmidt. “I still remember his chip and chase against Saracens at Wembley. I thought that was pretty impressive.

“He gave a nice off-load to Dave Kearney in the tackle for Dave to score against Aironi last year. He’s got some subtle skills set. Possibly people would see that, maybe under closer examination.”

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson is a sports writer with The Irish Times