Tom Denton is looking forward to opening an exciting new chapter in his career with Heineken Cup winners Leinster.
Highly-rated lock looking forward to Leinster challenge
Tom Denton is looking forward to opening an exciting new chapter in his career with Heineken Cup winners Leinster.
The highly-rated lock has agreed to link up with the newly-crowned European champions after catching the eye in England with Leeds Carnegie.
The towering 24-year-old is ready to try his luck with the cream of the Irish crop, though, after six years at Headingley.
Leeds' failure to clinch promotion back into the Aviva Premiership in 2011/12 convinced him that the time was right to move on, and Denton is delighted to be on his way to Dublin.
He told
Sky Sports: "It's great to have signed up at Leinster. It was a difficult season at Leeds, not getting promotion, so to sign a deal with Leinster was great.
"We have just won the Heineken Cup and it's a very competitive squad so it will be a tough task to get into that team. But it's a challenge I'm looking forward to.
"I would like to think that I have got something that the coaches will want. Hopefully I will be able to show them that, have a great season and put myself in a good position to get selected for the team."
Exciting
Forcing his way into Josef Schmidt's plans will be not be easy, but Denton is convinced that he has made the right decision for his blossoming career.
He said: "I played quite a few games at Leeds and at 24 I thought I did need to make a change. Not getting promoted back to the Premiership, I felt that I needed to push myself. When Leinster came, it was hard not to make that decision.
"It's exciting, moving over to Dublin. I have been over a few times, it's a great city and they are very friendly people over there. Hopefully I'll fit in well and I'm looking forward to being over there."
While excited to be linking up with a side that has conquered the continent three times in the last four years, Denton admits he will always be grateful to Leeds for giving him his big break.
He said: "I have lots of fond memories. It was a great experience playing at Leeds and living in the city for five years. There are lots of happy memories, but it's nice to be opening a new chapter in my career.
"They gave me my opportunity. Stuart Lancaster was my first coach, brought me over from school and signed me up as an academy player. I then got a chance under Neil Back when he came in and played two seasons in the Premiership, which was a great experience for me and one I probably wouldn't have got at another club."
Focus
Having graduated through the academy ranks at Leeds and now on to Leinster, Denton's next challenge is to earn international recognition.
He said: "If I do get the chance to play international rugby, that would obviously be a huge achievement for me. My first focus is on getting into the Leinster team first of all."
Denton qualifies for England and Ireland but, despite being well known to current England coach Stuart Lancaster, he is refusing to be drawn on where his allegiances lie.
He said: "I would have to make that decision when the time arises. I think at Leinster they would prefer me to play for Ireland, but I'm just focused on doing well, getting into their team and playing well for them."
Tom Denton has launched Rugby Rocks Powered by PUMA which takes place in Yorkshire on June 15-17. Go to www.rugbyrocks7s.com for more information.
