Leinster 'mystified' by Jennings decision

Michael Cheika claims the decision to by the ERC to reject Shane Jennings’s appeal against his 12-week ban, has left everyone within the Leinster Set-up “mystified”. The flanker this morning failed to overturn the suspension he received for making contact with the eye/eye area of London Irish lock Nick Kennedy in Leinster’s opening Heineken Cup game on October 9th.

Leinster have maintained throughout the process that there was no evidence to even support the citing of the Ireland international let alone ban him

“To be cited in the first instance,” said Cheika today, “it requires the incident to warrant a red card, but it didn't even merit a penalty, never mind a red card.

"Unfortunately the disciplinary officer wanted to pursue the matter even though there was verbal and written testimony from the London Irish player (Kennedy) stating that he “overreacted”. We are at a loss to understand why this decision has been made.

"We're more concerned at this stage with the player as both his career and his reputation have now been tarnished. We will be standing by Shane during this difficult time and I know that he will emerge stronger from this disappointing judgment."

Jennings will not be available to either Leinster or Ireland until January 7th next year, meaning his chances of adding to his five international caps during the Six Nations championship have been severely dented.

The IRFU, meanwhile, has confirmed the coaching and management positions for representative teams ahead of the coming season.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley will take charge of the Ireland A side and his first task will be to prepare the side for Tonga’s visit to Belfast (November 13th) and Argentina Jaguars trip Tallaght Stadium (November 27th).

The A team, which will be managed by the experienced Joey Miles, will also play fixtures the England Saxons and Scotland A next year.

Allen Clarke will continue to coach the Ireland U20 side and will be joined by new manager Michael Kearney. Clarke will also work with the U19 side, which will contain both schools and club players, in one of their fixtures against a touring Australian U19 team.

The U19 Schools side will also face Australia under the guidance of Terry McMaster.

Both of the U19 teams will be under the management of former Ireland schools team manager Barney McGonigle, while McMaster will coach the U18 Schools team alongside former internationals Kenny Hooks and Gabriel Fulcher.

The Ireland U18 Club side, which has been runners up at the FIRA/AER Championships in two out of the last three years, will also see continuity in their management with Greg Lynch coaching the side and Willie Gribben managing.

The Ireland Women's team have a new head coach in Kevin West and will be managed by Rachael Reid.

Ireland A

Michael Bradley - Coach

Joey Miles - Manager

Ireland Women

Kevin West - Coach

Rachael Reid - Manager

IrelandU20

Allen Clarke - Coach

Michael Kearney - Manager

Nigel Carolan - Assistant Coach

Colin McEntee - Assistant Coach