Wales prop Gethin Jenkins began his career with Treorchy before switching to Pontypridd, with whom he won the Principality Cup in 2002. Jenkins made his Wales debut against Romania in Wrexham in 2002, before joining the Celtic Warriors at the inception of regional rugby in 2003.

He was a fixture of Wales' 2003 World Cup squad, featuring in every game. He then showed his versatility during the 2004 Six Nations by packing down on both sides of the scrum during the course of the tournament. Jenkins played a full part in Wales' 2004 Autumn Internationals before hitting the form of his life in the 2005 Six Nations.

He started every game for Wales and scored the first try of the Grand Slam clinching win over Ireland at the Millennium Stadium. His superb form during the tournament led to three caps on the 2005 British Lions tour to New Zealand, although he could not repeat his success on tour in a pack that was going backwards.

Injury and a loss of form blighted Jenkins' 2005/6 season, as he struggled to finds form for his club Cardiff Blues and to force his way into the Wales reckoning. He had a much improved time of it in 2006/7, with 23 appearances for the Blues getting him back to his best form.

He featured in all of Wales Autumn Internationals in 2006, before starting four of their 2007 Six Nations games. Selection for his second World Cup in 2007 was ensured with some strong end of season performances for Cardiff, and Jenkins went on to start three of Wales' four games at the finals, including the key clashes with Australia and Fiji.

Following the World Cup Jenkins was handed the Wales captaincy for the first time for the first Prince William Cup match against South Africa. Under new Wales coach Warren Gatland Jenkins won his second Grand Slam after fighting his way back into the team following appearances as a replacement against England and Scotland.

Selected for the 2009 Lions tour of South Africa and made the XV for the opening two Tests. After playing the whole match in the first Test defeat in Durban he had to go off with a cracked cheekbone in the second half of the second Test after a collision with Bryan Habana as the Lions lost to Morne Steyn's injury time kick. The cracked cheekbone required a plate and ruled Jenkins out of the third Test.

And going into the 2011 World Cup - Jenkins was a doubt having had a 2010-11 season ravaged with injury. He will sit out the opening clash with South Africa but returned to play a central role as Wales reached the semi finals of the tournament.

Jenkins scored a try in the pool stage clash with Namibia and helped overturned Ireland in the quarter final before Wales lost to France at the next stage.

And upon Jenkins' return to his side the Cardiff Blues, his signature was hotly sought after with Bath, Perpignan and Toulon all chasing a deal for the prop.