ROBBIE DEANS IS the early favourite to field a call from Leinster offering him the position as their new head coach, but the Kiwi has been the one making contact with the province this week.
Deans is coach of the Barbarians side that will face Joe Schmidt’s Ireland on Thursday, 28 May in Thomond Park and has invited Leinster trio Shane Jennings, Jimmy Gopperth and Zane Kirchner to join his squad.
The Leinster men will hook up with the likes of Joe Rokocoko, Rene Ranger, George Smith, Adam Jones, Berrick Barnes, Alex Cuthbert, Gio Aplon, Soane Tonga’uiha, Rodrigo Capo Ortega, Ryu Koliniasi Holani and Thomas Waldrom in the famous black and white jersey as the BaaBaas celebrate their 125th anniversary year.
Jennings is retiring from professional rugby this summer, meaning that the clashes against Ireland and England with the Barbarians will be his final acts before hanging up his boots.
The openside flanker will be joined by New Zealand native Gopperth, who leaves Leinster this off-season to join Wasps in the Premiership, and fullback Kirchner, a 29-cap South Africa international.
Jennings won 12 Ireland caps from 2007 until 2012, and will likely relish the opportunity to hammer into Schmidt’s charges next week, particularly with many Leinster players set to be involved in the Ireland team.
The 33-year-old missed the end of Leinster’s season due to concussion issues, but will be excited to end his playing days on the pitch and no doubt causing havoc at the breakdown.
