Jenkins is back - as water boy
Neil Jenkins will be back on the international stage next month in a brand new role, as a water boy.
The world record points holder makes a surprising return to Wales duty for the two-Test series in South Africa on the touchline. The 30-year-old Lion, fresh from a man-of-the-match performance for Cardiff against Bridgend on Tuesday - his first start for 11 months - makes the trip as one of three fly halves alongside Cardiff colleague, Iestyn Harris, and Llanelli's Stephen Jones. Jenkins, who is travelling to South Africa anyway to appear in a testimonial match for former Springbok wing Chester Williams, makes the trip as 'an extra' according to Wales coach Steve Hansen.
'He will be on hand in case of injury,' said Hansen. 'It's a good time to reintroduce Neil. We will use him to run water and he will feel part of the squad.' The 27 named yesterday included one conspicuous absentee in Craig Quinnell. Saracens may have invested more than £400,000 in securing him from Cardiff on a long-term contract, but Hansen has decided to look elsewhere for second rows. Pontypridd's success in reaching the Parker Pen European Shield Final is recognised with the choice of five uncapped forwards, among them one Michael Owen, a back-row forward.
WALES : K Morgan (Swansea), R Williams (Cardiff), D James (Bridgend), M Taylor (Swansea), J Robinson (Cardiff), A Marinos (Newport), T Shanklin (Saracens), C Morgan (Cardiff), S Jones (Llanelli), I Harris (Cardiff), N Jenkins (Cardiff), D Peel (Llanelli), G Cooper (Bath); I Thomas (Ebbw Vale), G Jenkins (Pontypridd), C Anthony (Newport), B Evans (Swansea), R McBryde (Llanelli), M Davies (Pontypridd), S Williams (London Irish), R Sidoli (Pontypridd), G Llewellyn (Neath), M Owen (Pontypridd), R Parks (Pontypridd), M Williams (Cardiff), G Thomas (Bath), C Charvis (Swansea, capt).
