| Neil Jenkins |
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Information AboutNeil Jenkins |
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Jenkins was born in Church Village , Wales . He attended Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive school in Beddau , South Wales , where he was prominatly brilliant in Physical Education and various other subjects, including English. He made his Wales debut aged 19 along with Scott Gibbs . Jenkins strength was his kicking, and many felt that he was not worthy enough to inherit the Welsh number 10 shirt of Barry John , Phil Bennett and Cliff Morgan . However, after criticism early in his career, Jenkins developed his tackling, passing and running skills and became a competent, if not absolutely top-flight, fly-half. Kicking always remained his major strength - in the 2003/4 season, he was successful with 44 consecutive kicks at goal for his club side, the Celtic Warriors , which was a world record. Jenkins went on the 1997 British Lions Tour To South Africa , playing full back in all three tests. His extremely accurate goalkicking enabled the Lions to stay in touch with the Springboks during the first two tests, allowing them to win both of them, and thus the series 2-1. Jenkins also went on the 2001 British And Irish Lions Tour To Australia , but was carrying an injury, English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson being the preferred fly-half and goalkicker. Jenkins did gain his fourth Lions cap as a late replacement in the second test. During his 87 caps he scored 1049 points in an often struggling Welsh side. At the time of writing, early 2006 , this is the current world record. Jenkins was left out of Wales' 2003 World Cup squad and subsequently announced his retirement from international rugby. EXTERNAL LINKS |
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