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Neil Jenkins Special Moments

Wales’ World record international points scorer has announced his retirement from international rugby, having provided the world of rugby with countless memories, here , Jenks reveals some of his ‘best moments’…

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BEST KICK

It has to be the winning conversion against England at Wembley. It was a fantastic day and we haven’t beaten England very often in my career – that made it very special. After Scott Gibbs had scored his try he just smiled at me, thrust the ball in my hands and said: ‘just kick the damn thing’. After that I was afraid to miss.

BEST TRY

Every try is special, and there have been 11 for Wales, but the first one for your country has to be the sweetest moment. It came in my third Test against Ireland at the Arms Park in 1991. Phil Davies gave me the scoring pass and I remember being thrown back down to the ground as I celebrated by the Irish skipper Rob Saunders.

BEST MOMENT

My first cap against England in Cardiff in 1991was the proudest sporting day of my life, and beating them at Wembley was special. But my greatest moment on a rugby field has to be playing with the triumphant Lions team in South Africa in 1997, particularly winning the second Test in Durban. Just awesome!

WORST MOMENT

Missing seven kicks against Ireland in Cardiff in 1993. I got booed off the field, and deserved it. It was a bad moment, but it proved to be a turning point in my kicking career. I learned not to get flustered, to keep my emotions in check and became a better player as a result. It was a black day that had a silver lining.

FAVOURITE PLAYER

I was always a huge Jonathan Davies fan, but Philippe Sella was my idol. As regards my favourtie team mate, then there is only one choice – the Chief! For both club and country, Dale McIntosh has been an immense player. I’ve always been able to rely on him. A great footballer and a real cult hero in Ponty.

MOST RESPECTED OPPONENT

I know it sounds corny, but you have to repsect everyone you play against. I’ve played against some great No 10s – Rob Andrew and Jonny Wilkinson, Andrew Mehrtens, Craig Chalmers and Gregor Townsend, Tomas Castaignede – and faced some great back rows. But the man I admired above all was Philippe Sella. He was so strong and so gifted.

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