Tigers sing to the tune of Jennings

The World Cup-winning lock identified the crucial ingredient behind the spectacular revival after Wasps had been beaten at Welford Road on Saturday to earn the Midlands club a home play-off semi-final against Bristol. That ingredient is Shane Jennings. But there's a catch. He's heading home to Ireland at the end of the season in a quest to kick-start his international career.

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As a classical foraging openside flanker with the handy knack of scoring tries, Jennings is straight out of the Neil Back mould. But Kay believes the 25-year-old — who is bound for Leinster in the summer — is even better than the decorated English Lion and pretty much anyone else for that matter.

"Shane Jennings has played a huge part in the change around at this club and we're really going to miss him," he said. "I honestly believe he is the best back-rower I have ever played with and I've played with some really good ones."

He has indeed. Apart from Back, Kay has packed down with Lawrence Dallaglio, Richard Hill, Martin Corry and Josh Kronfeld, to name but a few. To say Jennings is the best of the lot is a bold statement, but he provides ample evidence.

"He seems to have everything," said Kay. "Some of the tries he has scored have shown that he is a destructive runner, but he is also good over the ball and a big tackler. I can't believe he hasn't had any recognition with Ireland yet."

Jennings set the tone for Leicester's victory over their perennial title rivals with a blistering charge through midfield early on. But he was not the only Tiger to stand tall.

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Captain Martin Corry led by belligerent example as usual — pounding away at the Wasps ramparts all afternoon. The visitors knew the game was up once they had conceded 14 points in the space of five minutes soon after the break.

They missed out on a play-off place for the first time since the system was introduced and must now work to heal any psychological scars before facing the Tigers again in the Heineken Cup Final at Twickenham on May 20.

Although Leicester lost to Bristol last week, they fielded a second XV on that occasion. The leading men should be too strong for Richard Hill's over-achieving team, who were routed 35-13 by Gloucester at Ashton Gate.

Tries by Willie Walker, Mark Foster, Jake Boer and Andy Hazell left Dean Ryan's side to contemplate a semi-final at Kingsholm against Saracens, whose 22-7 loss at Worcester followed a European defeat at home to Bath — suggesting they may just be running out of steam at the wrong time.

The smart money must be on two home victories, which would pave the way for a mouthwatering, stadium-filling Leicester- Gloucester final.