Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'Part of me will always wonder what could have been': Ellis Jenkins

Ellis Jenkins bridged a lengthy gap to return to the Wales team (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)

Former Wales captain Ellis Jenkins has said that he “will always wonder what could have been” if he had not suffered his career-threatening knee injury in 2018, after announcing his retirement on Monday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 30-year-old confirmed through his club Cardiff that his season will be his last in professional rugby.

The ACL injury suffered against South Africa in 2018 was a contributing factor to this decision, as Jenkins told the Cardiff website that his “knee still requires a lot of management,” and that he is no longer able to train how he likes.

Video Spacer

Chasing the Sun on RugbyPass TV | RPTV

Video Spacer

Chasing the Sun on RugbyPass TV | RPTV

Chasing the Sun, the extraordinary documentary that traces the Springboks’ road to victory at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, is coming to RugbyPass TV.

Watch now

The injury in a man of the match performance against the Springboks kept Jenkins out of action for more than two years, and though he did return to captain Wales in 2021, it curtailed a career that was tipped for greatness. A return of only 15 caps is not reflective of the potential the flanker had.

Jenkins took to social media shortly after his retirement was announced, where he said that his comeback from the knee injury is something he will be proud of, but he is in the same position as much of the Welsh fandom in wondering what could have been.

“I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to play rugby for a living for the past 13 years but I have decided that this season will be my last,” he wrote.

“To represent Cardiff Rugby from the Blues academy days until this final season has been an honour. Cardiff Arms Park is a special place with incredible supporters and a huge amount of history. My last home games on Saturday will be emotional and running out to a packed Arms Park is something I will really miss.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I also loved having the opportunity to represent Pontypridd RFC after growing up watching Ponty and the Celtic Warriors at Sardis Road.

“Playing for Wales is something I imagined as a kid while I practiced my goal kicking for hours and hours after training for Llanttwit Fardre. Although I never got to kick the winning penalty in a World Cup final as planned, to represent Wales was a dream come true. To do so multiple times as captain is something not many people get to do and will always be something I am extremely proud of.

“I’ve met some amazing people throughout my career who will be friends for life, and I would like to thank everyone who has supported me along the way. I’ve learned so much from so many people and you’ve made me a better player and a better person.

“A special mention goes to my parents. From driving me to academy training before school and to different sports every day after school, to travelling all over the world to watch me play for Cardiff and Wales, I can’t thank you enough.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Also to my wife, Sophie, thank you for always thinking I was the best player on the pitch, regardless of how I’d played, and for supporting me through the highs and lows throughout the years. Thank you especially for your support and encouragement when things weren’t going my way during rehab and I was ready to give up.

“Part of me will always wonder what could have been if I hadn’t got injured in 2018, but fighting back to play for Wales and the Principality Stadium again after over two years out is also something I look back on with pride.

“I always thought this would be a tough decision but in truth it isn’t. I guess when you know you now. I am excited to start the next chapter of my life with my young family and with the same commitment and enthusiasm that has served me well throughout my rugby career. I’m also looking forward to standing on the terraces and supporting the boys with a pint in my hand.”

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

South Africa vs New Zealand | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

Argentina vs Australia | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

Saitama Wildknights vs Tokyo Sungoliath | Japan Rugby League 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

The Game that Made Jonah Lomu

The gruelling reality behind one of the fastest sports in the world | The Report

Boks Office | Episode 40 | The Steven Kitshoff Special

Perry Baker in the house | HSBC Life on Tour | Los Angeles

Confidence knocks and finding your people | Flo Williams | Rugby Rising Locker Room

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

S
Solenn Bonnet 4 days ago
Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

My name is Solenn Bonnet, and I am a single mother navigating the challenges of raising my two-year-old child while trying to make ends meet. I came across a trading platform that promised astonishing daily profits of 18%. The allure of such a high return on investment was too tempting to resist, and I found myself drawn into cryptocurrency trading. Excited by the prospect of financial freedom, I invested a significant amount of my savings, totaling over 5.7 BTC. However, what started as a hopeful venture quickly turned into a nightmare. The platform was a scam, and I lost everything I had invested. The emotional toll of this loss was immense; I felt devastated and helpless, struggling to provide for my child and keep up with my bills. In my desperate attempt to recover my funds, I sought help from various recovery experts. Unfortunately, I encountered numerous fraudulent individuals who claimed they could help me retrieve my lost money. Each time I reached out, I was met with disappointment and further scams, which only deepened my despair. Last year was one of the most challenging periods of my life, filled with anxiety and uncertainty about my financial future. Feeling overwhelmed and at a loss, I confided in a close friend from church about my situation. She listened compassionately and shared her own experiences with financial difficulties. Understanding my plight, she introduced me to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, a group of skilled hackers known for their expertise in recovering lost funds. Skeptical yet hopeful, I decided to reach out to them as a last resort. Their services came at a higher cost, but my friend generously offered to help me with a partial payment. I was amazed by how quickly they responded and began the recovery process. Their team was professional, efficient, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire ordeal. To my relief, they successfully recovered more than I had lost to those heartless scammers. This was truly transformative, and I felt a sense of relief and gratitude that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I strongly encourage anyone who has faced similar challenges or fallen victim to scams to reach out to Tech Cyber Force Recovery. If you’ve invested in a fraudulent platform like I did, they are highly capable of helping you reclaim your hard-earned money. Don’t lose hope; there is a way to recover what you’ve lost.

CONSULT TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY

EMAIL.. support@techyforcecyberretrieval.com

WhatsApp.. +15617263697

website.. https://techyforcecyberretrieval.com

Telegram.. +15617263697

0 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Henry Pollock switches position as Saints name 4 Lions for Saracens Henry Pollock switches position as Saints name 4 Lions for Saracens
Search