“It is currently our intention to pick two very strong teams for the games against Cardiff and Pontypool. We are going to choose as strong a team as possible to play in the cup for the sake of the sponsors, Principality, the competition, Pontypool and our own fans,” said Jenkins.
“We want to give the Principality Cup the respect it deserves and maintain our proud cup tradition. Hopefully, the Welsh boys, who we are very proud of and who go with our blessing into the Six Nations, can help us secure two victories before they go.
“It is a credit to the boys themselves that they have had this recognition. Matthew Watkins took a decision to leave Newport a year ago to see if he could develop himself and it has proved to be a good move for him.
“His call up is a just reward for his efforts and progress, while Leigh Davies has worked hard to overcome a knee problem. He has had surgery and is now resurrecting his career. He has been a star for us in Europe and I’m sure he can make all the difference to Steve Hansen’s Welsh side.”
Having lost so badly at Bridgend in their last outing in the Welsh Premiership, Jenkins knows that his side need to get back on the winning trail against Cardiff tonight. That is why he has fielded his strongest possible side.
“This is a big game in the Welsh rugby calendar and we have competed in some great matches together. The one match in the cup two years ago still haunts me,” said Jenkins.
“If Cardiff can get 50% of the ball through their forwards then they have backs capable of scoring tries at will. They are a young side and they will show us no respect.
“They will come with a nothing to lose attitude and that makes them very dangerous. They will be playing in front of the Stradey Park faithful and it will be a game full of atmosphere, which will make it the type of game all players want to play in.”
WELSH PREMIERSHIP.
LLANELLI v CARDIFF (at Stradey Park, 7.10pm).
Llanelli: B Davies; M Jones, M Watkins, L Davies (capt), G Evans; S Jones, D Peel; I Thomas, M Thomas, M Madden, V Cooper, C Wyatt, D Jones, S Easterby, S Quinnell.
Replacements: J Davies, A Gravelle, L Gross, D Hodges, G Easterby, G Bowen, M Cardey.
Cardiff: R Williams; A Sullivan, N Walne, J Robinson, C Morgan; I Harris, R Powell; J Yapp, P Rogers, T Payne, H Senekal, Adam Jones, D McShane, M Williams (captain), E Lewis.
Replacements: Aled Jones, G Woods, L Tait, J Malpas, R Smith, D Dewdney, P Muller.
