Gethin Jenkins (born 17 November 1980) is a Welsh former rugby union player. He won 129 international caps for Wales and five for the British & Irish Lions. Jenkins was the record cap holder for Wales until he was overtaken by Alun Wyn Jones on 29 September 2019. He is the sixth most-capped player in rugby union history and the most capped front row forward. He is one of a small group of Welsh players to have won three Grand Slams including Gerald Davies, Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, Ryan Jones, Adam Jones and Alun Wyn Jones. On 31 October 2018 he announced his intention to retire after a final game for the Cardiff Blues against Zebre on Sunday 4 November 2018 following a recurring knee Injury. After his successful playing career, he had a number of coaching positions at Cardiff Blues and Cardiff RFC. Following some poor performances by Wales in 2020, he joined Wayne Pivac's backroom staff in the role of Wales Assistant Coach focusing on Defence. Early career Educated at Llwyncrwn primary school and Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School in Beddau, Jenkins first played rugby union aged 13 at Beddau RFC based in Pontypridd. Club career Jenkins played his Youth Rugby at Pontypridd and captained his side to Welsh Cup Victory in 1998. He became a regular first team player and was a key figure in highly successful 2000-2003 Pontypridd Team winning the final Principality Cup of the pre-regional era and narrowly losing to Sale Sharks in the final of the Parker Pen Shield competition. The 2002 Pontypridd forwards that Jenkins played alongside were the basis of the pack that led Wales to Grand Slam success in 2005, with ex-Pontypridd players making up 6 of the 8 forwards. Following the introduction of Welsh Regional Rugby, Jenkins joined the Celtic Warriors before signing for Cardiff Blues following the demise of the Celtic Warriors. At the Cardiff Blues he won the Amlin Challenge Cup, and reached the Heineken Cup semi final. After an impressive World Cup 2011, his signature was hotly sought after with Bath, Perpignan and Toulon all chasing a deal for the prop. Jenkins joined French Top 14 side Toulon for the 2012-13 season. Jenkins became the ninth Welshman to win a Heineken Cup with Toulon when he played as a replacement in the final against Clermont Auvergne. Jenkins is only the second Welsh player (along with Rob Howley)