Jenkins inspired by Thomas

GETHIN JENKINS will be delighted if he can emulate the standards set by his predecessor Gareth Thomas as Wales captain.

Cardiff prop Jenkins was named as the new man to lead Wales, against world champions South Africa in this month’s Invesco Perpetual Prince William Cup match at the Millennium Stadium on November 24.

He became Wales’ most capped prop at the Rugby World Cup when he took his tally to 52 caps — and he will be the 125th man to captain his country, taking over the armband from his Blues team-mate Thomas.

“I’ve been in the Wales squad for the last five years and have played with some great players, and also with some truly inspirational captains,” he told the Welsh Rugby Union’s website, www.wru.co.uk. “But if I can achieve anything near what ‘Alfie’ Thomas has achieved in terms of his role as a leader then I’ll be a happy man. If I can emulate his calmness under pressure and his ability to consistently raise standards, or his leadership qualities and knack of defusing difficult situations on the pitch, then I’ll be doing a pretty good job.

“Leading the team out at the Millennium Stadium, probably in front of a packed house of home fans and against the current Rugby World Cup champions will be a pretty special way to win my first cap as captain.

“It’s their first game since winning the cup, so the scalps aren’t going to come much bigger than that for at least the next four years.

Wales caretaker coach Nigel Davies, still in charge until Warren Gatland takes over in time for the South Africa match, is in no doubt Jenkins is the right man for the job.

“Anyone who knows or has worked with Gethin will tell you he sets high standards for himself and those around him,” said Davies.

“For our meeting with South Africa, we need a captain who will galvanise the squad — someone who every player will be proud to stand in line behind, and someone who strives for perfection in himself and those around him. Gethin fits the bill.”