Jenkins returns with try in a dream comeback
ELLIS Jenkins enjoyed a dream comeback after more than two years out of action as he capped an impressive all-round display with a try.
It’s been a long road back for the Wales flanker who suffered catastrophic knee injury in the final seconds of a Man of the Match performance against South Africa in November 2018.
But, after an absence of 812 days, he finally made his return for Cardiff Blues in their 38-21 friendly win over the Ospreys at the Arms Park.
And it was as if he’d never been away.
Most importantly of all, he came through his 40 minute run-out unscathed. You might imagine he would have had a few nerves after so long away from the game, but it didn’t look that way.
He certainly didn’t shy away from the action. In fact, he was into everything.
Playing on the openside flank, he carried and tackled with vigour, embracing the physical challenge. He got his hands on the ball a fair bit, stepping in at scrum-half at lineouts and also popping up in midfield and out wide.
Then there was his work at the breakdown. That’s where he sustained his horrific knee ligament damage against the Springboks, but there was no hiding away from that area.
Rapidly finding his feet again, he began to have an increasing influence at the rucks.
Then, on 14 minutes, came a classic spot of jackal work over the ball as he won a penalty for the Blues as they were under heavy pressure on their own line.
It was trademark Jenkins and the congratulations from his team-mates spoke volumes.
Before his pre-planned 40 minute stint came to an end, there was just time for him to add the icing to the cake.
Showing classic No.7 support play, he followed up a hack ahead from eye-catching young centre Mason Grady to dab the ball down onehanded.
Referee Dan Jones checked with his fellow officials to make sure there was no offside, but the score stood and no-one would have begrudged Jenkins that sweet moment after everything he has been through.
There was also a comeback try for Wales wing Owen Lane, who has been out with a foot injury since November.
As well as touching down himself, he also paved the way for Jenkins’ score with a searing break. It’s good to see him back.
There were six tries from the Blues in all, with Aled Summerhill claiming a brace and replacements Iestyn Harris and Harri Millard also crossing.
For the Ospreys, centre Callum Carson, scrum-half Matthew Aubrey and hooker Dewi Lake went over. Cardiff Blues: D Fish; O Lane, M Grady, M Llewellyn, A Summerhill; J Tovey, J Hill; T Bevacqua, K Myhill (capt), K Assiratti, B Murphy, R Thornton, G Bradley, E Jenkins, I Davies. Reps: I Harris, H Owen, S Andrews, W Davies-King, R Anstey, L Jones, L Scully, E Bevan, A Mann, J Harries, H Millard.
Ospreys: D Cross; H Dirksen, C Carson, J Hawkins, K Giles; L Price, Ma Aubrey; G Phillips, D Lake, R Henry, J Fender, R Thomas, O Cracknell, J Grabham, G Evans. Reps: G Lloyd, R Davies, N Thomas, L Jones, T Davies, M Strong, H Morgan, S Venter, J Thomas, B Cambriani, C Woolerton.
Referee: Dan Jones (WRU).
ELLIOT Daly insists England are ready to relaunch their Guinness Six Nations title defence by atoning for their Calcutta Cup horror show.
Eddie Jones’ champions crashed to a comprehensive 11-6 defeat on the opening weekend as an outstanding Scotland triumphed at Twickenham for the first time since 1983.
It was possibly the worst performances of the Jones era, but Daly is convinced England can ignite their Championship when 80-1 underdogs Italy visit London today.
“We know what we’re capable of. It’s always disappointing when you lose, but it’s about how you go into the next game,” Daly said.
“Our performance wasn’t where we wanted it to be against Scotland, but we have this chance to put it right and get back to what we’re good at, so that means ball in hand and putting dangerous players into dangerous areas.
“These competitions aren’t won on the first weekend.
“We know we can turn it around so this is a good opportunity to really fly into it and see where we can put ourselves.
“We’ve been looking at what we can do to get back playing in the way we want to play and enforcing our game on the other team.
“Our best performances have been off the back of really good defensive sets, so whether that’s big hits in the game or all working together to get the ball back.
“We’ll be focusing on against Italy.”
England: E Daly (Saracens); A Watson (Bath), H Slade (Exeter), O Farrell (Saracens, capt), J May (Gloucester); G Ford (Leicester), B Youngs (Leicester); M Vunipola (Saracens), L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), K Sinckler (Bristol), M Itoje (Saracens), J Hill (Exeter), C Lawes (Northampton), T Curry (Sale Sharks), B Vunipola (Saracens). Reps: J George (Saracens), E Genge (Leicester), W Stuart (Bath), C Ewels (Bath), B Earl (Bristol), J Willis (Wasps), D Robson (Wasps), M Malins (Bristol).
Italy: J Trulla (Calvisano); L Sperandio (Benetton), J-I Brex (Benetton), C Canna (Zebre), M Ioane (Benetton); P Garbisi (Benetton), S Varney (Gloucester); A Lovotti (Zebre), L Bigi (Zebre, capt), M Riccioni (Benetton), M Lazzaroni (Benetton), D Sisi (Zebre), S Negri (Benetton), J Meyer (Zebre), M Lamaro (Benetton).
Reps: G Lucchesi (Benetton), D Fischetti (Zebre), G Zilocchi (Zebre), N Cannone (Benetton), F Ruzza (Benetton), G Palazzani (Zebre), T Allan (Benetton), F Mori (Calvisano).
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland). that