The two prop idols shared three Grand Slams with Wales and, with Matthew Rees in between them, formed an all-Welsh front row for the Lions in South Africa in 2009. These days he is the highly acclaimed scrum doctor at Harlequins, while Jenkins is concentrating on defensive strategies at international level.
“First and foremost, Gethin basically coached the Welsh team when he was playing on the pitch! He’d bark orders because he’s got a really good rugby brain,” said Jones.
“He did that from the first time I came across him. He’s a prop that is most unlike a prop, if that makes sense. He was always thinking more about the exit or kicking strategy than he was about the scrum itself.
“We’d come up from a scrum, but was then thinking about what to do in attack. He’s been coaching the Blues Academy, Cardiff RFC and Wales U20, so it’s a huge step up for him with Wales.
“But defence can be a lot about respect and getting buy in from the boys. If the Welsh boys aren’t willing to get off the line and make a hit for Gethin Jenkins then there is something wrong and they shouldn’t be in the squad.
“I’m sure he’s got the respect of all the boys and many of them will probably look at him in awe at what he did as such a great player. It’s early for him to get the job, but if anyone can step into it, he can. I’m sure he will take to it like a duck to water.”
Pivac gave Jenkins the job on a part time basis following the departure of Byron Hayward and he cut his teeth in the friendly in France, the hang over Six Nations game against the Scots and during the Autumn Nations Cup. Now he is ready to get stuck into his first major championship campaign.
Not that the Six Nations will be anything new to him after playing 56 times in the tournament between 2003 and 2016. In that time he won Grand Slams in 2005, 2008 and 2012 and a fourth title in 2013.
Now he is eyeing more honours for Wales as part of the coaching set-up.
