Jenkins named Wales coach

International News
By Andrew Collins
April 27 2006

Scarlets coach Gareth Jenkins has been confirmed as the new Wales head coach, having beaten Leeds boss Phil Davies to the post.

The west-Walian will take up his new job as soon as his current season with the Scarlets ends. He has been given a 2-year deal with Wales, seeing him up to and past the 2007 rugby World Cup.

Jenkins was always the peoples favourite, though many felt his relationship with David Pickering and Steve Lewis may harm his chances. In 2004, Jenkins applied for the position, but the duo went out and asked Mike Ruddock if he wanted the job even though he hadn't applied. On top of that, he had to find out on the news that he had missed out on the job, with no-one from the WRU contacting him.

Jenkins has a very impressive CV, with a career in coaching spanning a massive 24 years, all of which with Llaneli and the Scarlets. He also has experience with Wales as assistant betwen 1992 and 1995, aswell as a Lions mid-week coach on teh recent 2005 tour.

His trophie cabinet includes; 5 league titles, 6 Welsh cups, 1 Celtic league title (All with Llanelli and the Scarlets) and also a 5 Nations crown during his time as Wales assistant.

He spoke of his delight in getting his new job to BBC saying,

"I'm a proud Welshman at the moment. This is something which I have aspired to for a long, long time. I'm very excited at the prospect of working with the Welsh players and I know there are huge challenges that lie ahead of us all."

He takes Wales to Argentina in 45 days, though its expected to be a somewhat developmeant squad, with many players having long seasons, particulalry those who went with the Lions last summer.

"I can't wait to get started and I know that the clock is ticking towards my first international in Argentina. It is a new and exciting challenge for me and I am greatly looking forward to it as we build towards the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France."

In getting the job, Jenkins beat Leeds' Phil Davies, Ospreys' Lynn Jones, conditioning coach Clive Griffiths and Wales Sevens coach, Dai Rees.

He is expeceted to take his coaching squad from the Scarlets, meaning dai Young will remain at the Blues. However, there is now a massive void left for Scarlets fans, with their main man for the last quater century going, and moving ground, its set to be a very strange few years for fans. Though it's thought a familiar face will be in the coaching role, Phil Davies being the obvious candidate for a job he would dearly love.

It's another new era for Welsh rugby, let's hope this one is more succesive, and longer lasting. Good luck Gareth, i think you're going to nead it!