Gethin Jenkins: Ex-Wales and Lions prop to take permanent Cardiff role in 2024-25
- Published
Gethin Jenkins played 129 times for Wales and made five Test appearances for the British and Irish Lions before retiring aged 37 in 2018
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions prop Gethin Jenkins will become a full-time Cardiff coach in 2024-25.
Jenkins, 43, has been part-time defence consultant to boss Matt Sherratt this season, but his role will become permanent in July, 2024.
Jenkins believes Cardiff have "a young group full of potential".
"As a coaching group we are all on the same wavelength - both in terms of what we want from the group and the standards expected," he added.
"We have tried to make the best of having two days a week, but going full-time will obviously give me lot more time with the squad.
"I'm looking forward to that and driving the club in the right direction, in terms of what we are trying to achieve."
Financial restrictions have seen players leave Cardiff and their regional counterparts across Wales and left Jenkins in his part-time role.
Jenkins was part of former Wales coach Wayne Pivac's coaching team and was not retained when Warren Gatland returned to take charge of the national team in December, 2022.
Following the January arrival of new owners Helford Capital Limited, Jenkins will be part of a backroom team including new forwards coach Corniel Van Zyl.
Jenkins said: "I'm glad to have agreed to go full-time in July and for the next two seasons."
Sherratt welcomed the news and said: "Bringing Gethin in this season was a really important appointment for the club and he has been excellent.
"We have talked all year about showing fight and Gethin has been integral to that. We have taken something from every game in the URC [United Rugby Championship] and our defence has been a really important part of that.
"He is a passionate and highly detailed coach, who demands high standards. It was always our intention to make it a full-time arrangement and I have no doubt Gethin can make an even greater impact as we move forward and develop as a group."
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