Skills coach Jenkins worked alongside Warren Gatland, Rob Howley, Shaun Edwards and Robin McBryde for more than a decade in the Welsh management team.
All four of those men have moved on with Gatland being succeeded by Wayne Pivac as Wales head coach.
Jonathan Humphreys, Byron Hayward, Stephen Jones and Sam Warburton have all come into the set-up too with Jenkins remaining in situ.
“I know the boys anyway. I’ve known Byron, Stephen and Humphs for a long time,” legendary former fly-half Jenkins said. “I’m just getting to know Wayne. It‘s a little bit different for me getting used to how they want to go about things and their coaching week.
“It’s a new time for me, but I have to keep learning and I have to give my experiences of the last 12 years to the coaches we have now and hopefully give them a heads up of what’s coming.
“I haven’t seen too much difference. There will be subtle changes. There is no doubting that with a bit more emphasis on attack, but defence is a massive part of the game and if you get that aspect of your game right, then you’ve got a great chance of winning Test matches and trophies.
“We have to get the balance right of playing in the right areas, attacking when we need to, and defending when we need to. It will be a big test, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.”
Jenkins continued: “It’s a completely fresh start as it’s a new coaching team apart from myself. The players will want to impress the new coaching team whether they have been here before or are just coming in.
“It’s about hitting the ground running as you don’t get many chances. You need to turn up on the first day.
“Italy will be tough. I’ve played in many games against them where if they stay in the game they will make it very difficult for you.
“We need to be ready for that and I’m sure we will be. It’s a home game we expect to win and we expect to perform.”
Jenkins will work alongside playmakers Dan Biggar, Jarrod Evans and Owen Williams in the campaign to come and is also excited by the five uncapped players in Pivac’s 38-man squad.
Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins, Will Rowlands, WillGriff John and Johnny McNicholl are all yet to feature in Test rugby.
“Dan is a world-class player. He was exceptional for us in the World Cup and his form has continued for Northampton,” Jenkins said.
“Jarrod is a young 10 who is developing. He was with us for our World Cup preparations and has kicked on and improved no end.
“He did well against the Barbarians so I’m hoping he can continue that progression, keep getting better, and keep on challenging Dan.
“Owen comes back in after a couple of years out. I like Owen, I think he’s a very talented player who can play 10 or 12 if needed.
“He’s an all-round talent so it’s great to see him fit and hopefully he’ll impress and put more pressure on the other two boys.”
Jenkins ended: “Some of the youngsters coming in are really exciting. I’ve been here a long time now and for most of that it has been a list of the same players in that squad.
“To see some new faces and young players coming in means it will be interesting to see how they go.
“I’m not going to lie, Test match football is a totally different game to playing week in, week out at club level, but if you don’t play well at that level, then you won’t get into this environment.
“We’ll see how they go over the next week or two, see who puts their hand up in training, and then we’ll see how they progress throughout the campaign.
“It’s good to see talented new faces who have speed and look like try-scoring machines.”
Wales’ clash with Italy at Cardiff’s Principality is the first game of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations and takes place on Saturday, February 1.
