Gethin Jenkins

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Gethin Jenkins
Gethin Jenkins.jpg
Birth nameGethin Jenkins
Date of birth (1980-11-17) 17 November 1980 (age 40)
Place of birthLlanilltud Faerdref,  Wales
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight121 kg (267 lb; 19 st 1 lb)
SchoolBryn Celynnog Comprehensive School
Rugby league career
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
199?-9? Cardiff Demons RLFC ()
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Beddau RFC
Treorchy RFC		 ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2000–03
2003–04
2004–12
2012–13
2013–18		 Pontypridd
C. Warriors
Cardiff Blues
Toulon
Cardiff Blues		 62
13
126
21
92		 (5)
(5)
(25)
(0)
(15)
Correct as of 7 April 2017
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2002–16
2005, 2009, 2013		 Wales
British & Irish Lions		 129
5		 (20)
(0)
Correct as of 26 November 2016

Gethin Jenkins (born 17 November 1980) is a Welsh former rugby union player. He won 129 international caps for Wales and five for the British & Irish Lions. Jenkins was the record cap holder for Wales until he was overtaken by Alun Wyn Jones on 29 September 2019. He is the sixth most-capped player in rugby union history and the most capped front row forward. He is one of a small group of Welsh players to have won three Grand Slams including Gerald Davies, Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, Ryan Jones, Adam Jones and Alun Wyn Jones.[1] On 31 October 2018 he announced his intention to retire after a final game for the Cardiff Blues against Zebre on Sunday 4 November 2018 following a recurring knee Injury.

After his successful playing career, he had a number of coaching positions at Cardiff Blues and Cardiff RFC. Following some poor performances by Wales in 2020, he joined Wayne Pivac's backroom staff in the role of Wales Assistant Coach focusing on Defence.

Early career[]

Educated at Llwyncrwn primary school and Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School in Beddau,[2] Jenkins first played rugby union aged 13 at Beddau RFC based in Pontypridd.

Club career[]

Jenkins played his Youth Rugby at Pontypridd and captained his side to Welsh Cup Victory in 1998. He became a regular first team player and was a key figure in highly successful 2000-2003 Pontypridd Team winning the final Principality Cup of the pre-regional era and narrowly losing to Sale Sharks in the final of the Parker Pen Shield competition. The 2002 Pontypridd forwards that Jenkins played alongside were the basis of the pack that led Wales to Grand Slam success in 2005, with ex-Pontypridd players making up 6 of the 8 forwards. Following the introduction of Welsh Regional Rugby, Jenkins joined the Celtic Warriors before signing for Cardiff Blues following the demise of the Celtic Warriors.

At the Cardiff Blues he won the Amlin Challenge Cup, and reached the Heineken Cup semi final. After an impressive World Cup 2011, his signature was hotly sought after with Bath, Perpignan and Toulon all chasing a deal for the prop.[3] Jenkins joined French Top 14 side Toulon for the 2012-13 season.

He became the ninth Welshman to win a Heineken Cup with Toulon when he played as a replacement in the final against Clermont Auvergne.[4] Jenkins is only the second Welsh player (along with Rob Howley) to win both European cups, after winning the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2010 with the Cardiff Blues and the Heineken Cup with Toulon in 2013.

International career[]

Wales[]

Jenkins made his first appearance for Wales against Romania in 2002.[5] In the 2005 Six Nations Championship he was rated one of the greatest influences in Wales' Grand Slam winning side, scoring a memorable try against Ireland.

In November 2007 he was asked to captain Wales against South Africa by Welsh temporary coach Nigel Davies.[6] His reign as captain would last just one game as in December Wales hired Warren Gatland as coach who gave the captaincy to Ryan Jones. However Jenkins kept his place in the squad solidifying himself as number one choice for the #1 jersey.

Jenkins captained Wales against Australia on 28 November 2009 following the withdrawal of regular captain Ryan Jones from the squad due to injury.[7]

He captained Wales in their last game of the 2013 six nations championship in Cardiff. Wales defeated England 30-3 to win the Championship. On 30 November 2013 versus Australia Jenkins became the most capped forward for Wales, surpassing Pontypridd and Cardiff team-mate Martyn Williams record of 100 caps. On 15 March 2014 versus Scotland he became the most capped player for Wales, overtaking the record of 104 caps held by Stephen Jones.

Jenkins became the world's most capped prop forward ever on 29 August 2015 versus Ireland, overtaking the record of 119 caps held by Jason Leonard.

Gethin Jenkins took part in both the 2016 Six Nations and the Wales tour to New Zealand. Jenkins also captained Wales during the 2016 Autumn internationals.

British & Irish Lions[]

He was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005 and played in all three tests.[6][8]

On 21 April 2009, Jenkins was named as a member of the British & Irish Lions for the 2009 tour to South Africa.[9]

In June 2009 Jenkins, Adam Jones and Matthew Rees were selected as the British & Irish Lions front row for the second Test against South Africa. This was the first time an all-Welsh front row was selected for a Lions test match since Billy Williams, Bryn Meredith and Courtney Meredith on the 1955 Lions tour.[10][11]

He was selected for the British & Irish Lions for the 2013 tour for the third time, but withdrew due to injury.[12] He narrowly missed out on selection for the 2017 Tour to New Zealand [13] following his knee injury issues.

International tries[]

Try Opponent Location Venue Competition Date Result
1  Romania Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2004 Autumn Internationals 12 November 2004 Win
2  Japan Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2004 Autumn Internationals 26 November 2004 Win
3  Ireland Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2005 Six Nations 19 March 2005 Win
4  Namibia New Plymouth, New Zealand Yarrow Stadium 2011 Rugby World Cup 26 September 2011 Win

Style[]

Jenkins usual position is loosehead prop but he has also played in the tighthead prop position. He was one of the "new-breed" of front-rows, known for his speed, fitness and turnover ability, however some criticism was made of his scrummaging at times during his career.

Despite his stern on-field persona, he was a well respected and well liked player,[14] commonly referred to as "Melon".

Rugby league[]

Jenkins has also played rugby league, making regular appearances for Cardiff Demons in the late 1990s leading them to the 1998 Division Two Academy Grand Final.[15]

References[]

  1. ^ GMT (17 March 2012). "Three Grand Slams". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  2. ^ "No-one deserves this more than Gethin – teacher". Wales Online. 13 November 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  3. ^ http://www.espn.co.uk/wales/rugby/player/13814.html
  4. ^ "Toulon claim Heineken Cup glory". ESPN. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  5. ^ "Unconvincing Wales See Off Romania - BBC Sport". BBC News. 1 November 2002. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "Jenkins to skipper Wales v Boks – BBC Sport". BBC News. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  7. ^ "Wales hit by captain Jones injury – BBC Sport". BBC News. 27 November 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  8. ^ 2005 Lions: Where are they now? – Setanta Sports Archived 3 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "Lions Squad Announced – BBC Sport". BBC News. 21 April 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  10. ^ "Welsh front row in big push for glory". Lionsrugby.com. 19 December 2005. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  11. ^ "Lions 2009: Simon Shaw finally gets call as Lions bulk up for second Test – Telegraph". London: Telegraph.co.uk. 25 June 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  12. ^ Paul Rees (30 April 2013). "Jonny Wilkinson turned down Lions chance, says Warren Gatland". London: Guardian. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  13. ^ "Nearly Lions - the 37-man squad of players that could, or should, have been on the plane to New Zealand". The Telegraph. 20 April 2017. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  14. ^ Orders, Mark (31 October 2018). "The stories about a Welsh rugby legend who's just retired". WalesOnline. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  15. ^ [1] Archived 9 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine

External links[]


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