Wales World Cup preparations bolstered by return of Gethin Jenkins – Rugby news
30-year-old Welsh international rugby union player, Gethin Jenkins, has declared himself 100 percent fit on Tuesday, July 11. The announcement has given a welcome lift to Wales Rugby Union’s (WRU) 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) preparations.
Jenkins was named in the Wales 45-man training squad for their 2011 RWC campaign. However, at the time of the announcement he was recovering from toe injury. Jenkins toe problem was not new but in the beginning of the year, matters got worse and he required
surgery on his foot.
The operation and the subsequent toe rehabilitation have ruled out the participation of Jenkins from Wales 2011 Six Nations campaign. The injury has also kept him off the field for the Cardiff Blues in domestic and European championships.
Jenkins is a front row forward player and plays at the prop position for Wales, Blues and British & Irish Lions teams.
Llantwit Fardre born Jenkins joined the Blues in the 2004 season. He made his international debut for the Wales in 2002 and has so far made 76 appearances for Wales' national rugby union side. The tall and strong built Jenkins has also represented the British
& Irish Lions in their 2005 and 2009 tours.
The experienced Wales international has termed his announcement as the right time to make a recovery. He said, “Coming back from injury is a frustrating time for any player and you have to tough it out mentally and keep telling yourself you will be back,
But, if there is ever a good time to make your comeback, it's probably now.”
Wales will announce their final 30-man squad for their 2011 RWC campaign in August. Jenkins is aware of the fact that he is facing a tough challenge from Craig Mitchell and Paul James for a place in the final 2011 RWC squad. He added, “Paul and Craig have
both done well and it will be a good thing for the squad if I can create some more competition for that starting spot.”
Jenkins has expressed his confidence that he will be able to demonstrate his fitness and game in the Wales pre-World Cup preparation games against Argentina and England. Jenkins will join the remaining part of the Wales training camp in Spala, Poland.
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