The Cardiff Blues prop will become only the fourth Welsh player to reach a century of caps in today’s clash with Argentina, following in the footsteps of Stephen Jones, Martyn Williams and Gareth Thomas.
With Jenkins celebrating his 33rd birthday on Sunday, it looks set to be a memorable weekend for the Llantwit Fardre product.
“I think all my family are coming down to watch. Mum and dad followed me everywhere up until 2007 when my mum died,” said Jenkins in the build-up to today’s game.
“I am sure it will have a bit of an effect on me during the anthem. Normally the anthem is when you think about things like that and then you switch on for the game.”
After returning to the Blues from Heineken Cup champions Toulon for the start of this season, Jenkins has hit the ground running after initially struggling with calf problems. The injury forced the triple Grand Slam winner home from last summer’s tour of Australia with the British & Irish Lions.
But now, leaner than ever before, Jenkins put in a superb individual performance against South Africa last weekend, prompting forwards coach Robin McBryde to describe him as the pick of the pack.
“Getting to 100 is a weight off my mind,” said Jenkins, who helped Wales to Grand Slam success in 2005, 2008 and 2012.
“I think the 90s have been quite slow for me with injuries over the last year or two. I’ve been trying to get back to full fitness really.”
In a position where the toll on the body is arguably worse than in any other area, Jenkins’ achievement is a fine one. But in more than a decade playing in the front row for Wales, the loosehead admits he remembers little of his debut against Romania back in 2002.
“I can’t remember anything that happened in the game,” he added. “Someone asked me the other day who was playing tighthead and I can’t even remember that.”
Famously shy and understated, Jenkins packs down today alongside Richard Hibbard and young tighthead Rhodri Jones in a Wales side which features plenty of experience and a smattering of youth. Jones wins his third Test cap while centre Cory Allen will make his international debut.
In total, there are four changes from the side which was beaten 24-15 by the Springboks, Justin Tipuric and fly half Dan Biggar the others to come into Warren Gatland’s side.
In a funny twist of fate, Jenkins won’t be the only international to reach 100 caps today. New Zealand’s Dan Carter and Italian forwards Martin Castrogiovanni and Sergio Parisse will also reach the milestone in their respective matches against England and Fiji.
Asked the secret to his longevity in a game which has evolved massively over the last 10 years, Jenkins added: “I always used to do a lot of running when I was younger and a lot of swimming.
“The boys still take the mickey when we are in the pool and I’m one of the quickest in there.
“But the game has changed now. When I started, it was run, run, run. Now it is all power-based.
“The game has obviously got a lot more physical. It’s completely changed from the way it was when I first started but I still pride myself on getting around the field.”
In Jenkins’ 99 appearances so far for Wales, there have been plenty of moments to remember. For him though, one in particular sticks out.
“The Grand Slam game of 2005 – just for the simple fact I scored a try!” he said.
What price on him marking today’s historic milestone with another decisive score?
