Leinster to fill lock void by signing giant Springbok from Munster - report

Leinster are set to fill an impending second-row void with the signing of giant Springbok Jason Jenkins from Munster - according to reports in Ireland.

It comes as the Dublin-based province appears set to lose two of their up-and-coming second rows to the Gallagher Premiership.

Jack Dunne is reported to be signing for Exeter Chiefs, while RugbyPass understands that uncapped academy lock Charlie Ryan is also on the radar of the Devon-based side, as well as at least one other English side.

Jenkins joined Munster ahead of the 2021/22 season on a one-year deal from Toyota Verblitz in the Japanese Top League. The former Blue Bulls forward has only made four appearances for Munster due to injuries.

The 6'7, 125kg man mountain will join the likes of James Ryan, Ryan Baird and Ross Molony. Jenkins can play at blindside, although it's likely that Leinster's intention is to use him exclusively as a tighthead lock.

Connacht and Bath were also apparently interested in his services, although it appears that Leinster gazumped the competition and a move north-eastward to Leinster will go ahead - subject to IRFU approval.

Leinster have been in the hunt for a second row for some time. RugbyPass first reported that they were in the market for a high-profile southern hemisphere second row last November, although it seems that the Jenkins signing suggests a rugby household name is now off the cards.

Wallaby Scott Fardy left the club last season and 35-year-old Devin Toner was on the brink of retirement before signing a one-year extension to keep him in Dublin.

Baird and Molony remain options alongside Ireland mainstay James Ryan, but with both on the margins of the Ireland setup, it could potentially create a major vacuum in the position for the province during international windows, which has led to the recruitment of the South African.