Jenkins: I want Wales job
Llanelli director of rugby Gareth Jenkins performed a major u-turn today by confirming he has applied to become the new head coach of Wales.
Jenkins was initially unwilling to apply for the position left vacant by Mike Ruddock’s sudden departure unless significant changes were made at the top of the Welsh Rugby Union.
The Scarlets chief felt “publicly humiliated” in 2004 when he was the leading candidate to replace Steve Hansen, only for the WRU to appoint Ruddock who had not even applied for the job.
Jenkins still feels a certain bitterness towards chairman David Pickering and chief executive Steve Lewis but admitted a huge groundswell of support in Wales had forced him to reconsider.
“It is now or never,” said Jenkins after submitting his application ahead of tonight’s deadline.
“At the end of the day I would love to do the job and believe Ihave a lot to offer.”
Jenkins’ credentials are impressive. He has led Llanelli to eight domestic trophies, the 2003 Celtic League title and to two Heineken Cup semi-finals.
As an assistant to Alan Davies he helped Wales win the 1994 Five Nations title and on last summer's Lions tour the midweek side he coached along with Ian McGeechan were unbeaten.
Jenkins is believed to face competition from Leeds’ director of rugby Phil Davies, but he is the people’s choice and topped a recent poll with 35% of the vote.
This week he received huge support from Welsh rugby legends JJ and JPR Williams and Lions coaching colleague McGeechan.
But Jenkins was also encouraged to change his mind by the attempts being made to invoke a vote of no confidence in the current WRU board.
Should the rebel clubs succeed in calling an extraordinary general meeting – a decision is expected to be made later this month – changes can be expected at the top of the union.
Jenkins recently told BBC Wales: “I’ve been absolutely clear from the outset, I have aspirations to coach Wales. I would love to do the job and would relish the challenge.
“Maybe some of the personnel at the WRU are not going to be there forever. Maybe there are things happening that would change my mind.”
While Ruddock brought huge success to Wales, leading them to a first Grand Slam triumph in 27 years, he did so with a largely inherited management team.
Jenkins, however, will demand the freedom to bring in his own men.
“You have to move on and work with people you don’t like, but this isn’t only about that – if I’m to coach Wales I have to be able to do it in the way I feel it has to be done,” he said.
“I would certainly have to bring in my own management team, that’s a point that’s even more relevant now than when I applied previously.
“It’s about regenerating and reinventing the national structure with Wales.”
Jenkins’ application has been given the full support of Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher.
