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Neil Jenkins
Neil Jenkins
Neil Jenkins
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Neil Jenkins, MBE (born 8 July 1971) is a Welsh former rugby union player and current coach. He played fly-half, centre, or full back for Pontypridd, Cardiff, Celtic Warriors, Wales and the British & Irish Lions. Jenkins is Wales' highest ever points-scorer and is the fifth highest on the List of leading rugby union test point scorers. He was the first player to score 1,000 points in international matches.

Key Information

In 2004, Jenkins joined the coaching staff of the Wales national rugby union team and was the kicking skills coach.

Early life

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Jenkins was born in Church Village near Pontypridd,[1] Wales to a scrap dealer and his wife. He attended Llanilltud Faerdref primary school and then Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School in Beddau.[2][3]

Career

[edit]

Jenkins joined Pontypridd in 1990, making his First XV debut on 14 April.[4]

He made his Wales debut aged 19 on 19 January 1991 against England during the Five Nations Championship in Cardiff, a game that Wales lost 25–6,[5] but Jenkins scored his first three points thanks to a penalty. After the Five Nations campaign, Jenkins missed out on a place in the Welsh World Cup squad – the number ten position having been taken up by Mark Ring.[5]

Jenkins' main strength was his kicking, although he was deceptively quick in his early career.[citation needed] Despite this, he still received tremendous criticism and many felt that he was not worthy enough to inherit the Welsh number 10 shirt of Barry John, Phil Bennett and Cliff Morgan, leading Jenkins to tailor his game to the demands of the modern game. He developed his tackling, passing and running skills, especially under the coaching of Graham Henry, and became an excellent distributor of the ball, notably his excellent flat passes. He was also a strong runner.[citation needed] In November 1993, he managed an international record eight successful penalty kicks at goal in Wales's 24–26 defeat to Canada.[6] At the age of just 23, he passed Paul Thorburn to become Wales's record Test point scorer in a 29–19 win against Italy, in which he also equalled the record of 24 points in a game he had set against Canada.[7]

Jenkins went on the 1997 British Lions tour to South Africa, playing full back in all three tests. His accurate goalkicking enabled the Lions to beat the Springboks during the first two tests,[citation needed] and thus secure the series 2–1. Across all three Tests he managed 41 points, beating Gavin Hastings's previous record of 38.[8]

In the final match of the 1999 Five Nations Championship, Jenkins kicked a conversion in the dying moments of the game to beat England 32–31 at Wembley to deny their English counterparts the title, as Scotland won on points difference, with Wales finishing third. Later that year, he also equalled the international record by converting nine penalties in a World Cup warm-up game against France.[9]

In October 2000, Jenkins was made an MBE for services to sport. He picked up the MBE from Buckingham Palace before being flown back to the Welsh capital by helicopter for a rugby match in which he scored all 24 points for Cardiff in their 24–14 win over Saracens.

In 2001, Jenkins became the first ever rugby player to break the 1,000 international points mark, with a 28-point haul featuring a Full House of a try, conversion, drop-goal, and penalty against France in Paris.[10]

Jenkins went on the 2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, but was carrying an injury, allowing English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson to become the preferred fly-half and goalkicker. However, Jenkins did gain his fourth Lions cap as a late replacement in the second test.

Kicking always remained his major strength – in the 2003-04 Celtic League, he was successful with a world record 44 consecutive kicks at goal for the now defunct Celtic Warriors.

His final match for Wales was on 1 November 2002 in Wrexham against Romania, with Wales winning 40–3.[5] Jenkins was left out of Wales' 2003 Rugby World Cup squad, and subsequently announced his retirement from international rugby after an 11-year career.

During his 87 caps for Wales he scored 1,049 points (11 tries, 130 conversions, 235 penalties and 10 drop goals) and a further 41 points (1 conversion and 13 penalties) during his four caps for the British & Irish Lions for a grand total of 1,090 points. He retired as the only player to score over 1,000 points in international rugby.[citation needed] Jenkins' world record was subsequently broken by Jonny Wilkinson.

Despite the early public criticism, Jenkins has established himself as one of the most recognisable figures in Welsh rugby and many rugby fans hold him in extremely high regard.[citation needed] Although he is no longer the leading points scorer in Test history, he is still considered to be one of the most accomplished goalkickers in rugby.[citation needed]

Coaching career

[edit]

In the autumn of 2004 Jenkins returned to the Welsh Rugby Union in the capacity of Kicking Skills Coach, working with the then newly formed WRU Academies to improve the future generations of outside halves. In the summer of 2006, he returned to the National Squad set up as Skills Coach where he first worked for Gareth Jenkins during the 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign and subsequently Warren Gatland's new-look management team.

During the 2007–2008 season, Jenkins helped the Welsh national team to a second Six Nations Grand Slam in four years.

British and Irish Lions

[edit]

On 8 June 2009, Jenkins was appointed as the British and Irish Lions' specialist kicking coach for their tour of South Africa.[11]

He was then reappointed as a coach for the Lions for their 2013 Tour to Australia alongside Graham Rowntree and head coach Warren Gatland. He was subsequently named in the coaching team for the 2017 and 2021 tours, again alongside Gatland on both, and Rowntree in 2017.

Off the Field

[edit]

In 1999, Jenkins published his autobiography: Life at number 10: An Autobiography[12] with freelance journalist Paul Rees just a matter of weeks before breaking the International points scoring record. The book was republished in 2001 by Mainstream Publishing.

Also, on 10 November 2003 a DVD was released as a tribute, called Jenks – A Rugby Legend, the DVD tells the story of Jenkins from his start as a working class boy in the Welsh Valleys to the pinnacle of rugby.

In honour of Jenkins' Testimonial career, the famous Grogg Shop in Pontypridd made a "Limited Edition Testimonial Action" Grogg of Jenkins. Wanting to make something special for the occasion, the Grogg was the first ever to stand on just one leg and took over 6 months to create. Only 100 were made, all of which were hand-painted in a variety of rugby kits – only three of which were in the Lions jersey, one owned by Jenkins, one by his mother and the other by Mike Donald of Ebbw Vale who bought the Grogg at an auction for £4,100.[13]

See also

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References

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Neil Jenkins

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Neil Jenkins (born 8 July 1971) is a Welsh former player and current coach, widely regarded as one of the sport's most prolific points scorers. Best known for his role as a fly-half, he amassed 1,049 points in 87 Test matches for between 1991 and 2002, making him the nation's highest-ever international points scorer and the first player worldwide to surpass 1,000 points in Test rugby. Jenkins was awarded an MBE in 2000 for services to . Jenkins began his professional career with in 1990, where he made 237 appearances and scored over 3,000 points before moving to in 1999 and later joining the in 2003. His domestic prowess as a goal-kicker and playmaker translated seamlessly to the international stage, where he debuted for at age 19 against in 1991. Notable highlights include scoring a "full house" (try, conversion, penalty, and drop-goal) in his 1,000th-point international match and a dramatic last-minute conversion in 1999 that secured a 32-31 victory over , denying them the Five Nations title. He also represented the British and Irish Lions on their 1997 tour to —scoring 41 points across three Tests—and the 2001 tour to . Retiring as a player in 2004, Jenkins transitioned into coaching with the (WRU), initially focusing on skills development for the national team. He served as an assistant coach for the Lions on their 2021 tour to , marking his sixth involvement with the touring side. As of October 2025, Jenkins continues in a full-time role with the WRU as a skills coach, working directly with players on personalized development plans across the men's professional game, including sessions with clubs like and the Dragons.

Early Life

Background and Education

Neil Jenkins was born on 8 July 1971 in Church Village, near in the area of , to a dealer father and his wife. He received his primary education at Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School in the local area. Jenkins continued his schooling at Bryn Celynnog in Beddau, where he first displayed notable athletic talent in rugby from a young age, standing out among peers as early as eight years old.

Introduction to Rugby

Growing up in a close-knit community, rugby was a prominent part of school life. From a young age, Jenkins displayed a natural aptitude for sports, but it was rugby that captured his passion early on. His father, , recalled that Jenkins' talent became evident when he was just eight years old, consistently outperforming his peers during local games. Jenkins' formal introduction to organized rugby came at Llantwit Fardre RFC, where he joined the under-eights team but was advanced to play with older boys due to his advanced skills and physical maturity. This early exposure fostered a rigorous ; he spent countless hours practicing on local fields like Caewathan, often alone or alongside childhood friend and future teammate Paul John, honing his kicking and passing techniques. By the age of 12, Jenkins had firmly committed to rugby, turning down a with a football club in Birmingham to focus exclusively on the sport. His dedication during these formative years, marked by solitary drills after school, laid the groundwork for his precision and reliability as a player. As a teenager, Jenkins continued to develop through youth setups, transitioning from school and junior club rugby to more competitive environments. These early experiences in the Valleys rugby scene, characterized by community support and intense local rivalries, shaped Jenkins into a resilient and goal-oriented .

Playing Career

Domestic Clubs

Jenkins began his domestic club career with , joining the club at the age of 15 and making his senior debut in 1990. He remained with Pontypridd for the majority of his playing days, appearing in 237 matches between 1990 and 2003 and establishing himself as the club's all-time leading points scorer with over 3,000 points. During this period, which spanned both the amateur and professional eras of Welsh rugby, Jenkins primarily played as a fly-half, contributing significantly to Pontypridd's campaigns in the Welsh Premier Division and European competitions. In 1999, Jenkins transferred to Cardiff RFC, where he spent three seasons bolstering the team's backline with his renowned goal-kicking and playmaking abilities. His time at Cardiff coincided with the professionalization of the sport, and he helped the club compete in domestic leagues and the Heineken Cup, though specific achievements were limited by the transitional nature of Welsh rugby structures. Jenkins returned to in July 2002 on a two-year contract, seeking to reconnect with his formative club amid ongoing challenges in his international career. In the 2002-03 season, he played a key role in 's efforts to secure a place in the inaugural , scoring crucial points in tight matches against rivals. With the introduction of regional rugby in for the 2003-04 season, Jenkins joined the , a short-lived merger of and RFC. The Warriors competed in the and Heineken Cup, where Jenkins featured prominently; the team notably defeated English champions London Wasps 14-9 in a pool-stage upset at on 11 January 2004, ending Wasps' unbeaten run. Despite the promise, the region folded after one season due to financial issues, marking the end of Jenkins' club career. He retired in June 2004 following a with .

Wales National Team

Neil Jenkins made his debut for the on 19 January 1991 against at , aged 19, in a Five Nations Championship match that lost 6–25. Playing primarily as a fly-half but also capable at full-back, Jenkins quickly established himself as a reliable performer, known for his exceptional goal-kicking accuracy and tactical awareness during a challenging period for Welsh rugby in the early 1990s. Over his international career spanning 1991 to 2002, Jenkins earned 87 caps for , scoring a total of 1,049 points—comprising 11 tries, 130 conversions, 235 penalties, and 10 drop goals—making him the highest points scorer in Welsh rugby history. His consistency as a kicker provided crucial stability, particularly as endured a winless run in the Five Nations from 1993 to 1996, where his penalties and conversions often kept scores competitive. Jenkins featured prominently in the hosted in , playing in all four pool matches: a 23–18 win over , a 64–15 victory against , a 31–38 loss to , and a 9–24 defeat by . These performances helped advance to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1987, though they were eliminated 24–9 by eventual champions ; Jenkins contributed points in three of the games, underscoring his role in the team's attacking structure. A pinnacle of his career came in the 1999 Five Nations, where he set a Welsh record by scoring 30 points (including five penalties, four conversions, and a try) in a 60–21 win over at the . On 17 March 2001 against , Jenkins became the first player in history to surpass 1,000 international points, scoring 28 points—including a try, four conversions, three penalties, and two drop goals—for a full house in a thrilling 43–35 victory. Jenkins' final appearance for was on 1 November 2002 against in , a 40–3 victory where he added to his points tally. Despite his form, he was omitted from the squad due to injuries and selection preferences under coach , prompting his retirement from international rugby on 11 May 2003 at age 31. Throughout his tenure, Jenkins' reliability and record-breaking contributions provided a bright spot in an era of transition for Welsh rugby, influencing the sport's emphasis on specialist kickers.

British and Irish Lions

Jenkins was selected for the 1997 British and Irish Lions tour to , where he played as full-back in all three Test matches against the Springboks. His precise goalkicking proved instrumental in the Lions' 2-1 series victory, contributing 41 points across the Tests, including five penalties in the 30-28 win of the first Test in and five more in the 20-15 second Test success in . Overall, Jenkins amassed 101 points in eight tour appearances, helping maintain pressure on the world champions through consistent scoring. He returned for the 2001 Lions tour to but was limited by injury, featuring in just one —the opening 29-13 victory over the Wallabies—before being sidelined for the remainder of the series, which ended in a 1-1 draw after a 35-14 loss in the second and a 29-29 draw in the decider. Across his two tours, Jenkins made 12 appearances and scored 142 points , underscoring his reputation as a reliable points machine in high-stakes international rugby.

Coaching Career

Wales National Team

After retiring as a player in 2004, Neil Jenkins joined the (WRU) as a kicking skills coach for its academies. He transitioned to working with the senior national team in 2006 as skills and kicking coach, a role he held for nearly two decades under multiple head coaches. During this period, Jenkins contributed to ' successes, including Grand Slam victories in the Six Nations in 2008, 2012, and 2019, as well as the quarter-final appearance. His expertise in kicking and skills development was instrumental in player improvement, particularly in high-pressure match situations. In September 2025, following the appointment of interim head coach Steve Tandy, Jenkins was not retained as part of the national team's coaching staff for the autumn internationals. However, on 16 October 2025, the WRU confirmed that he continues in a full-time role as a skills coach, focusing on individualized player development plans across the men's professional game. This includes conducting sessions with clubs such as Cardiff Rugby and the Dragons, working with players like Rhys Patchell and Leigh Halfpenny.

British and Irish Lions

Jenkins served as kicking coach for the British and Irish Lions on four consecutive tours: 2009 to , 2013 to , 2017 to , and 2021 to . In these roles, he worked closely with , supporting the team's kicking strategies and contributing to series outcomes, including the 2–1 victory over in 2009 and the drawn series against in 2017. He was not selected for the 2025 tour to under .

Personal Life

Awards and Honours

Neil Jenkins has received several notable awards and honours throughout his rugby career and beyond, recognizing his exceptional contributions as a player and coach. In 2000, Jenkins was awarded the Member of the (MBE) in the New Year's Honours List for his services to football in Wales. He received the honour at , shortly before returning to play in a match for . Jenkins was named the Welsh Rugby Writers' Association's Wales men's player of the year in both 1994 and 1995. In 1994, his award came after a standout performance where he scored all 17 of ' points in their Five Nations victory over . The following year, despite enduring a Five Nations whitewash, he was recognized for his consistent kicking prowess, including the team's sole try of the tournament. As a testament to his enduring legacy, Jenkins became the first player in history to surpass 1,000 points in international rugby matches, achieving this milestone during his international career. He holds the record as ' all-time leading points scorer with 1,049 points from 87 caps. In 2019, Jenkins was appointed president of , the club where he made 237 appearances and scored over 3,000 points. Two years later, in 2021, he was granted the Freedom of , the highest civic honour of the county borough, in recognition of his services to rugby. The award was presented at a council meeting on November 24, 2021. Jenkins is married to Cathy Jenkins.

Media and Other Activities

During his playing career, Jenkins engaged in media projects that highlight his rugby legacy. In 1998, he co-authored the autobiography Life at Number 10 with journalist Paul Rees, which chronicles his rise from a working-class background in the Rhondda Valley to becoming one of rugby's most reliable goal-kickers. That same year, BBC Wales produced the documentary Working Class Hero, a profile of Jenkins' life and achievements that earned the Royal Television Society's Regional Sports Documentary award in 1999. In other activities, Jenkins serves as an ambassador for Oil 4 , a charity providing to vulnerable households across , drawing on his personal roots to support community welfare initiatives.

References

  1. https://www.rugbyworld.com/lions-2021/who-is-neil-jenkins-ten-things-you-should-know-about-the-lions-assistant-coach-126112
  2. https://www.rugbypass.com/players/neil-jenkins/
  3. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/neil-jenkins-new-job-announced-32692028
  4. https://www.llantrisant.net/index.php/freemen/notable-freemen/125-freeman/notable-freemen/493-4549-neil-roger-jenkins
  5. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/the-real-neil-jenkins-2486679
  6. https://www.lionsrugby.com/en/news/lions-legend-the-story-of-neil-jenkins
  7. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/celtic/2062513.stm
  8. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/jenkins-boot-keeps-pontypridd-on-track-177637.html
  9. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/jan/12/rugbyunion.heinekencup2003044
  10. https://www.ultimaterugby.com/neil-jenkins
  11. https://www.rugbydatabase.co.nz/player/index.php?playerId=13573
  12. https://www.rugbydatabase.co.nz/player/appearancesByTeam.php?teamId=44&playerId=13573
  13. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/583828.stm
  14. https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/m6n/news/classic-match-historic-day-for-welsh-match-winner-neil-jenkins
  15. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3018259.stm
  16. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/axed-wales-coach-neil-jenkins-32455074
  17. https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments/british-irish-lions/which-coaches-will-join-andy-farrell-lions-staff-162969
  18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/12/99/new_years_honours/584164.stm
  19. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/45-welshmen-who-officially-been-32511057
  20. https://www.facebook.com/WelshRugbyUnion/posts/-we-can-confirm-neil-jenkins-wales-highest-ever-points-scorer-continues-full-tim/1382176807246620/
  21. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/neil-jenkins-set-awarded-prestigious-22200733
  22. https://books.google.com/books/about/Life_at_Number_10.html?id=YdiozwEACAAJ
  23. https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-television-sport-awards-1999
  24. https://www.oil4wales.co.uk/meet-our-ambassadors
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