Gethin Jenkins
Llanilltud Faerdref, Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Weight | 121 kg (267 lb; 19 st 1 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby league career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Gethin Jenkins (born 17 November 1980) is a Welsh former professional
He retired from professional rugby union in November 2018 after struggling with a chronic knee injury.[2] After retirement, he had a number of coaching positions with the Blues and Cardiff RFC. Following some poor performances by Wales in 2020, he joined Wayne Pivac's backroom staff as the national team's defence coach.
Early career
Educated at Llwyncrwn Primary School and Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School in Beddau,[3] Jenkins first played rugby union aged 13 at Beddau RFC based in Pontypridd.
Club career
Jenkins played his youth rugby at
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.
Jenkins became the ninth Welshman to win a Heineken Cup with Toulon when he played as a replacement in the final against Clermont Auvergne.[5] 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
In November 2007 Jenkins was asked to captain Wales against
Jenkins captained Wales against Australia on 28 November 2009 following the withdrawal of regular captain Ryan Jones from the squad due to injury.[8]
Jenkins 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
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
Jenkins was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005 and played in all three tests.[7][9]
On 21 April 2009, Jenkins was named as a member of the British & Irish Lions for the 2009 tour to South Africa.[10]
In June 2009 Jenkins,
Jenkins was selected for the British & Irish Lions for the 2013 tour for the third time, but withdrew due to injury.[13] He narrowly missed out on selection for the 2017 Tour to New Zealand [14] 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 |
Coaching career
Jenkins began his coaching career as defence coach for Cardiff RFC, while still playing for Cardiff Blues.[15]
In 2020, he assisted with Wales U20, as a defence coach, before joining up with the senior side ahead of the 2020 Autumn Nations Series, as a technical coach.[16]
Ahead of the 2021 Six Nations, his role was made permanent, becoming the full time defence coach.[17]
Style
Jenkins usual position is
Despite his stern on-field persona, he was a well-respected and well-liked player,[18] 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.[19]
References
- ^ "Six Nations: Wales' Gethin Jenkins and Ryan Jones hail third Grand Slam". BBC Sport. 17 March 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
- ^ "Gethin Jenkins: Wales and Lions prop great announces retirement". BBC Sport. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
- ^ "No-one deserves this more than Gethin – teacher". Wales Online. 13 November 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ "Gethin David Jenkins".
- ^ "Toulon claim Heineken Cup glory". ESPN. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
- ^ "Unconvincing Wales See Off Romania - BBC Sport". BBC News. 1 November 2002. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
- ^ a b "Jenkins to skipper Wales v Boks – BBC Sport". BBC News. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
- ^ "Wales hit by captain Jones injury – BBC Sport". BBC News. 27 November 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
- ^ 2005 Lions: Where are they now? – Setanta Sports Archived 3 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Lions Squad Announced – BBC Sport". BBC News. 21 April 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
- ^ "Welsh front row in big push for glory". Lionsrugby.com. 19 December 2005. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Paul Rees (30 April 2013). "Jonny Wilkinson turned down Lions chance, says Warren Gatland". London: Guardian. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
- ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ "Gethin Jenkins to take Cardiff RFC coaching role". Cardiff Rugby. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Gethin Jenkins joins Wales coaching team - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Wales to offer Jenkins defence coach role". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Orders, Mark (31 October 2018). "The stories about a Welsh rugby legend who's just retired". WalesOnline. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ [1] Archived 9 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine
External links
- (archived by web.archive.org) Cardiff profile
- (archived by web.archive.org) Pontypridd profile
- Wales profile Archived 27 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- Gethin Jenkins at ESPNscrum