Wales’ most-capped player Gethin Jenkins has announced he will retire from rugby after Cardiff’s game with Zebre on Sunday. The 37-year-old has been struggling with chronic knee problems for some time, limiting him to just two appearances for Cardiff Blues’ A team during the early part of the season.
Having been informed by medical experts that his right knee is not healthy enough to keep playing, the loosehead prop has confirmed he will hang up his boots after Sunday’s Pro14 clash with Zebre at Cardiff Arms Park.
“I have been working hard rehabbing over the last three months and I was confident I was going to be back playing so it’s disappointing to be retiring after Sunday’s game against Zebre,” said Jenkins, who will take up a coaching post at Cardiff.
“It’s obviously a big decision but I’ve had a good innings, it’s time to finish and I’m looking forward to one more run out on the weekend and hopefully finishing on a high.
“The pain I have been experiencing from rugby, in my daily life, simply isn’t tolerable but it’s important to me that after all the work I have put in, I run out with my team one last time and finish on my own terms.
“I’m very proud of everything I have achieved in my career, particularly captaining the Blues in the previous three seasons. None of it would have been possible without my parents and the 2005 Grand Slam always stands out as Mum and Dad were both there supporting me.”
The decision to call it a day by Jenkins brings down the curtain on a glittering career, the prop having won a record 129 caps for Wales while also featuring in five Test matches with the British & Irish Lions.
Jenkins, who made his international debut in 2002, won four Six Nations, including three Grand Slams with Wales, while domestically he lifted the European Champions Cup at Toulon and captured two European Challenge Cups with Cardiff.
Source: ICS