View source for Gethin Jenkins

{{short description|Wales and British Lions international rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Gethin Jenkins
| image = Gethin Jenkins.jpg
| caption = 
| birth_name = Gethin Jenkins
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|11|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Llanilltud Faerdref]], Wales
| height = 1.88 m
| weight = {{convert|121|kg|lb stlb|abbr=on}}
| school = [[Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School]]
| university = 
| relatives = 
| ru_position = [[Prop (rugby union)|Prop]]
| amatyears1 = |amatteam1 = [[Beddau RFC|Beddau]]
| amatyears2 = |amatteam2 = [[Treorchy RFC|Treorchy]]
| years1 = 2000–2003 |clubs1 = [[Pontypridd RFC|Pontypridd]]   |apps1 = 62  |points1 = 5
| years2 = 2003–2004 |clubs2 = [[Celtic Warriors]]             |apps2 = 13  |points2 = 5
| years3 = 2004–2012 |clubs3 = [[Cardiff Rugby|Cardiff Blues]] |apps3 = 126 |points3 = 25
| years4 = 2012–2013 |clubs4 = [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]]        |apps4 = 21  |points4 = 0
| years5 = 2013–2018 |clubs5 = [[Cardiff Rugby|Cardiff Blues]] |apps5 = 92  |points5 = 15
| repyears1 = 2002–2016 |repteam1 = [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] |repcaps1 = 129 |reppoints1 = 20
| repyears2 = 2005–2013 |repteam2 = [[British & Irish Lions]]                 |repcaps2 = 5   |reppoints2 = 0
| coachyears1 = 2018–2020 |coachteams1 = [[Cardiff RFC]] (defence)
| coachyears2 = 2021      |coachteams2 = [[Wales national under-20 rugby union team|Wales U20]] (defence)
| coachyears3 = 2020–     |coachteams3 = [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] (defence)
| ru_coachupdate = 8 November 2022
| module = {{infobox rugby league biography | embed = yes
| year1start =  | club1 = [[Cardiff Demons]] | appearances1 = | points1 = 
}}
}}
'''Gethin Jenkins''' (born 17 November 1980) is a Welsh former professional [[rugby union]] player who played as a [[prop (rugby union)|prop]] for [[Pontypridd RFC|Pontypridd]], [[Celtic Warriors]], [[Cardiff Rugby|Cardiff Blues]] and [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]]. At international level, he won 129 caps for [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]]. On his 105th appearance in 2014, he became Wales' most-capped player, overtaking the record held by [[Stephen Jones (rugby union)|Stephen Jones]]; having earned his final cap in November 2016, his record was surpassed by [[Alun Wyn Jones]] in September 2019. He is one of a small group of Welsh players to have won three [[Grand Slam (rugby union)|Grand Slams]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Six Nations: Wales' Gethin Jenkins and Ryan Jones hail third Grand Slam|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17416299|website=BBC Sport|date=17 March 2012|access-date=2 May 2013}}</ref> He also won five caps for the [[British & Irish Lions]] on three tours in [[2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|2005]], [[2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa|2009]] and [[2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2013]]. He is the sixth [[List of rugby union test caps leaders|most-capped]] player in rugby union history and the second most-capped front-row forward.

He retired from professional rugby union in November 2018 after struggling with a chronic knee injury.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gethin Jenkins: Wales and Lions prop great announces retirement |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/46042857 |website=BBC Sport |date=31 October 2018 |accessdate=24 March 2023 }}</ref> 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]],<ref>{{cite news |title=No-one deserves this more than Gethin – teacher |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/no-one-deserves-more-gethin--2217331 |access-date=11 August 2019 |work=Wales Online |date=13 November 2007}}</ref> Jenkins first played rugby union aged 13 at Beddau RFC based in [[Pontypridd]].

==Club career==
Jenkins played his youth rugby at [[Pontypridd RFC|Pontypridd]] and captained his side to a Welsh Cup title in 1998. He became a regular first-team player and was a key figure in highly successful 2000–2003 Pontypridd team that won the final [[WRU Challenge Cup|Principality Cup]] of the [[Introduction of regional rugby union teams in Wales|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 six of the eight forwards. Following the introduction of Welsh regional rugby, Jenkins joined the [[Celtic Warriors]]. When the Warriors folded after just one season, Jenkins signed for the [[Cardiff Blues]].

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/wales/rugby/player/13814.html|title=Gethin David Jenkins}}</ref> Jenkins joined French [[Top 14]] side [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]] for the 2012-13 season.

Jenkins became the ninth Welshman to win a Heineken Cup with Toulon when he played as a replacement in the final against [[ASM Clermont Auvergne|Clermont Auvergne]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.espn.co.uk/heineken-cup-2012-13/rugby/story/182967.html|title= Toulon claim Heineken Cup glory|date=18 March 2013|work=ESPN|access-date=20 May 2013 }}</ref> 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 national rugby union team|Wales]] against Romania in 2002.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/2388131.stm|title=Unconvincing Wales See Off Romania - BBC Sport|work=BBC News|date=2002-11-01|access-date=2013-05-02}}</ref> In the [[2005 Six Nations Championship]] he was rated one of the greatest influences in Wales' [[Grand Slam (Rugby Union)|Grand Slam]] winning side, scoring a memorable try against [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]].

In November 2007 Jenkins was asked to captain Wales against [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]] by interim coach [[Nigel Davies (rugby union)|Nigel Davies]].<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/7090487.stm|title=Jenkins to skipper Wales v Boks – BBC Sport|work=BBC News|date=2007-11-12|access-date=2013-05-02}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/8374462.stm|title=Wales hit by captain Jones injury – BBC Sport|work=BBC News|date=2009-11-27|access-date=2013-05-02}}</ref>

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 [[Pontypridd RFC|Pontypridd]] and [[Cardiff Blues|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 (rugby union)|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===
Jenkins was selected for the [[British & Irish Lions]] tour to [[2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|New Zealand]] in 2005 and played in all three tests.<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref>[http://www.setanta.com/Uk/Articles/other-sports/2009/04/29/2005-Lions-Where-are-they-now/gnid-50756/ 2005 Lions: Where are they now? – Setanta Sports] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503074412/http://www.setanta.com/Uk/Articles/other-sports/2009/04/29/2005-Lions-Where-are-they-now/gnid-50756|date=3 May 2009 }}</ref>

On 21 April 2009, Jenkins was named as a member of the British & Irish Lions for the 2009 tour to South Africa.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8007666.stm|title=Lions Squad Announced – BBC Sport|work=BBC News|date=2009-04-21|access-date=2013-05-02}}</ref>

In June 2009 Jenkins, [[Adam Jones (rugby union, born 1981)|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 (rugby, born 1929)|Billy Williams]], [[Bryn Meredith]] and [[Courtney Meredith]] on the 1955 Lions tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lionsrugby.com/news/8308.php|title=Welsh front row in big push for glory|publisher=Lionsrugby.com|date=2005-12-19|access-date=2013-05-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/britishandirishlionsrugby/5639538/Lions-2009-Simon-Shaw-finally-gets-call-as-Lions-bulk-up-for-second-Test.html|title=Lions 2009: Simon Shaw finally gets call as Lions bulk up for second Test – Telegraph|publisher=Telegraph.co.uk|date= 2009-06-25|access-date=2013-05-02|location=London}}</ref>

Jenkins was selected for the British & Irish Lions for the [[2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2013 tour]] for the third time, but withdrew due to injury.<ref>{{cite news|author=Paul Rees|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/apr/30/jonny-wilkinson-turns-down-lions|title=Jonny Wilkinson turned down Lions chance, says Warren Gatland|publisher=Guardian|date= 2013-04-30|access-date=2013-04-30|location=London}}</ref> He narrowly missed out on selection for the 2017 Tour to New Zealand <ref>{{Cite news|date=2017-04-20|title=Nearly Lions - the 37-man squad of players that could, or should, have been on the plane to New Zealand|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2017/04/20/nearly-lions-37-man-squad-players-could-should-have-plane/gethin-jenkins/|access-date=2021-02-15|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> following his knee injury issues.

=== International tries ===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Try  !! Opponent !! Location !! Venue !! Competition  !! Date !! Result
|-
| 1 || {{ru|ROM}} || [[Cardiff]], Wales || [[Millennium Stadium]] || [[2004 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2004 Autumn Internationals]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2004|November|12}} || Win
|-
| 2 || {{ru|JPN}} || [[Cardiff]], Wales || [[Millennium Stadium]] || [[2004 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2004 Autumn Internationals]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2004|November|26}} || Win
|-
| 3 || {{ru|IRE}} || [[Cardiff]], Wales || [[Millennium Stadium]] || [[2005 Six Nations Championship|2005 Six Nations]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2005|March|19}} || Win
|-
| 4 || {{ru|NAM}} || [[New Plymouth]], New Zealand || [[Yarrow Stadium]] || [[2011 Rugby World Cup]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2011|September|26}} || Win
|-
|}

==Coaching career==
Jenkins began his coaching career as defence coach for [[Cardiff RFC]], while still playing for Cardiff Blues.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gethin Jenkins to take Cardiff RFC coaching role |url=https://www.cardiffrugby.wales/news/gethin-jenkins-to-take-cardiff-rfc-coaching-role |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=Cardiff Rugby}}</ref>

In 2020, he assisted with Wales U20, as a defence coach, before joining up with the senior side ahead of the [[2020 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2020 Autumn Nations Series]], as a technical coach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-15 |title=Gethin Jenkins joins Wales coaching team - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/2020/10/gethin-jenkins-joins-wales-coaching-team/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Ahead of the [[2021 Six Nations Championship|2021 Six Nations]], his role was made permanent, becoming the full time defence coach.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Wales to offer Jenkins defence coach role |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/55738461 |access-date=2022-11-23}}</ref>

==Style==
Jenkins usual position is [[Prop (rugby union)|loosehead prop]] but he has also played in the [[Prop (rugby union)|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 [[Scrum (rugby union)|scrummaging]] at times during his career.

Despite his stern on-field persona, he was a well-respected and well-liked player,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Orders|first=Mark|date=2018-10-31|title=The stories about a Welsh rugby legend who's just retired|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/untold-gethin-jenkins-stories-revealed-15352831|access-date=2021-02-15|website=WalesOnline|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk/article/1998-hunslet-hawks-39-cardiff.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809053800/http://www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk/article/1998-hunslet-hawks-39-cardiff.html|date=9 August 2011}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20080509103923/http://www.cardiffblues.com/476_492.php Cardiff profile]
*(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20071107133327/http://www.ponty.net/jenkins-gethin Pontypridd profile]
*[http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/matchcentre/squads_wales_player_archive.php?player=4398&includeref=dynamic Wales profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127181357/http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/matchcentre/squads_wales_player_archive.php?includeref=dynamic&player=4398 |date=27 January 2013 }}
*{{ESPNscrum|13814}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Squads
| list1 = 
{{Wales 2003 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{2005 British & Irish Lions squad}}
{{Wales 2007 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{2009 British & Irish Lions squad}}
{{Wales 2011 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{2013 British & Irish Lions squad}}
{{Wales 2015 Rugby World Cup squad}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jenkins, Gethin}}
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2003 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2007 Rugby World Cup players]]
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[[Category:21st-century Welsh sportsmen]]
[[Category:British & Irish Lions rugby union players from Wales]]
[[Category:Cardiff Demons players]]
[[Category:Cardiff Rugby players]]
[[Category:Pontypridd RFC players]]
[[Category:RC Toulon players]]
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[[Category:Rugby union props]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Llantrisant]]
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