Shane Jennings made his debut for Leinster in 2001 against Swansea

The versatile back-row forward moved to the Tigers in 2005 after four seasons with the Irish province.

Jennings captained the Ireland 'A' team at the Churchill Cup in North America last year.

"He's a player of real quality and his arrival will give us a better balance and greater combinations in our team," said Leinster coach Michael Cheika.

He added: "Leicester have given him a good education and schooling in forward play.

"I think that he can play in different roles in the backrow. I like to mix and match the variations between either playing a staggered (tall, medium or fast) combination or a flat back three.

"Shane has gained great experience playing over there and it would have been a hard decision for him to make to move home because he's a very loyal person.

"But I suppose people always want to return home eventually. Put it this way, I don't think he came home because of me!"

Jennings has scored nine tries in his 43 appearances for Leicester.

"It is a great disappointment that Shane is heading back to Leinster," Tigers head coach Pat Howard told the club website.

"For both his family situation and current Ireland selection policy, I do understand. He has had two fantastic years here on and off the field and he will be missed."

Simon Cohen, Leicester head of rugby operations, believes Jennings has improved as a player during his time at Welford Road.

"Shane has explained to us that the reasons for wanting to return to Ireland are a mix of personal reasons and a feeling that he is more likely to be selected for Ireland if he is playing within Ireland," he said.

"Our view is that he has developed and will continue to develop by playing for Leicester, but we respect him hugely as a person and as a player, and therefore we have to respect his decision.