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The world of rugby paid their tributes yesterday to Gethin Jenkins who decided to retire from the game after a quite remarkable playing career.

We at Beddau RFC are so proud of his achievements. He was educated at Llwyncrwn Primary School and then Bryncelynnog Comprehensive School in our village and his first taste of rugby was in the Green and Gold of Beddau. He was taken under the wing of Gareth Morris and Wayne Yoxall amongst others in the junior section and he went on to play for Pontypridd Schools under 15s, with another Beddau product and British Lion Michael Owen, and won the Dewar Shield with that group. It wasn’t to be known at this time but Gethin was destined to go on and win much, much more in his rugby career.

At 16 years of age, Gethin trained with the senior squad in Beddau and he amazed the elder playing group with his line breaks and length of the field runs. A prop he was, but the seniors thought he must have been a slightly overweight centre!!

He then joined Pontypridd at a very young age after his talent was recognised. It was noted there at Pontypridd that on his first training session he was first in the 3k run, beating several established stars and even Internationals. His engine was incredible. A little later in his career when he joined the Welsh squad he was smashing all fitness records. A prop!!!

During his spell at Pontypridd, he spent a little time in the Rhondda with Treorchy where he and Matthew Rees learnt the hard graft of the game before returning to Pontypridd where he made sixty two appearances. He was part of the ill-fated Celtic Warriors regional squad and appeared thirteen times before moving on to Cardiff Blues where he was to really make a name for himself. His final appearance will be on Sunday afternoon against Zebre meaning that he will have played an amazing 195 games in the famous blue and black jersey. Gethin has had two stints with the Blues either side of a spell in Toulon in the 2012-13 season when he made twenty one appearances for the French Club and won the biggest prize in European rugby the Heineken Cup, which is now known as the Champions Cup. He was also to win the EDF Energy Cup in 2009 and two European Challenge Cups whilst with Wales Capital region

Gethin’s illustrious International career started in 2002 when he was awarded his first cap against Romania. He went on to play in some of the greatest Wales teams winning three Grand Slams in 2005, 2008 and 2012. He won four Six Nations titles. Of them four titles there was one very memorable one as Gethin captained Wales to a superb 30-3 win over England in the then Millennium Stadium in 2013. It wasn’t the first time and the last time that he captained his country. He was first given the honour in November 2007 against South Africa. Gethin is one of a special group of six players to have won the Grand Slam three times with the three feathers on his chest.

In March 2014 in the game against Scotland, Gethin became Wales all time most capped player and then in August 2015 he became the Worlds most capped prop forward taking over from legendary English prop Jason Leonard. Gethin in total played 129 times for a Wales and would have been far, far more if it wasn’t for several injuries.

His form for Wales was recognised on three occasions by the British and Irish Lions selectors. In 2005 he toured New Zealand and appeared in all three tests. He then went  South Africa in 2009 and formed part of an all Wales test front row with Matthew Rees and Adam Jones. He was selected for his third tour in 2013 to Australia but unfortunately injury ruled him out of the tour party at the eleventh hour.

Gethin was to become arguably the best loose-head prop forward in the game. His remarkable engine, amazing footballing ability, his massive tackle count and his work at the breakdown was just formidable. In some games he was a prop, flanker, scrum half and centre all rolled into one. It wasn’t just his own personal game, he brought an energy and enthusiasm to every team he played in. Players were lifted once they saw the name Gethin Jenkins on the team sheet and opposition were deflated and would look how to stop him doing what he did so well and that more often than not failed. A brilliant endorsement came from double World Cup winning coach Steve Hansen who when asked if there was anyone who he could take from Wales to New Zealand, he simply said Gethin.

By any standards, Gethin’s career is seen as once in a generation. He has been loved by the Welsh public not just for the way he played the game, but the way he handled himself off the field. He may be classed as grumpy, but to most who knew him this was because he had to have everything perfect. He certainly had a perfect career.

We still see Gethin at the Club on the odd occasion and he still enjoys the banter with many boys from the Club. He is quiet but has a real wicked sense of humour. When help is needed and he is available he will always be on hand to assist. He has done a lot of charity work for many charities including local causes which goes unseen but deserves credit for. He has been an icon for so many kids growing up and is the perfect role model for youngsters.

We at Beddau RFC are so proud that we have played a part in his development. He has made us proud on his remarkable rise to the top of his sport. He has always helped to promote the name of Beddau RFC and we will forever be grateful for that. He is a freak of an individual, but one that is loved and forever will be loved and welcomed not just in our Club but in the Community where he will always be worshiped as a legend of our game.

We wish Gethin every success in the next chapter of his life. We as Club will be behind you 100% of the way.

The Beddau boy done well, very well!!