Wales legend Gethin, 37, ready to play for final time

GETHIN JENKINS, Wales’s mostcapped player, will retire after one last match on Sunday at the age of 37. The prop played a record 129 times for his country and won five caps with the British and Irish Lions, making him the world’s fourth most-capped player ever. Jenkins has been battling a chronic knee injury and has now decided that the match against Zebre for Cardiff Blues in the Pro14 will be his last. ‘It’s a big decision but I’ve had a good innings. It’s time to finish and I’m looking forward to one more run out and, hopefully, finishing on a high,’ he said. ‘I have been rehabbing for three months and was confident I would be back playing, so it’s disappointing to be retiring after Sunday. ‘The pain I have been experiencing from rugby in daily life simply isn’t tolerable but it’s important that after all the work I’ve put in, I run out with my team one last time and finish on my own terms.’ Jenkins is one of only six Welshmen to have won three Grand Slams — in 2005, 2008 and 2012 — alongside Ryan Jones, Adam Jones, Gareth Edwards, Gerald Davies and JPR Williams. He also played in four World Cups, from 2003 to 2015, and won the Heineken Cup with Toulon in 2013. ‘I have so many memories but the biggest thing I will miss is that camaraderie — the buzz of running out and playing, and the feeling in the changing rooms after a win,’ he added. ‘I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved, particularly captaining the Blues in the previous three seasons. None of it would have been possible without my parents.’ Jenkins, who will now take up a coaching role at the academy, said: ‘I’m very grateful to (chairman) Peter Thomas, the club and the brilliant supporters, and also Gruff Rees and John Mulvihill for making this transition from playing to coaching a smooth one. ‘I am hanging up my boots with the club in a strong position and while missing last season’s European Challenge Cup was personally devastating, I was immensely proud of the culture, environment and legacy we have built.’