After weeks of grueling training, many Welsh players will get their first taste of competitive action on Saturday against Ireland and that is an opportunity they are desperate for according to the former fly-half.
“Tomorrow can’t come quick enough for the boys,” said Jenkins. “When you train for such a long period, you can’t wait for the game and the opportunity that gives.
“It’s the first game of the season for most of them and they will be looking forward to getting out there and showing what they are capable of doing.
“We know it’s going to be a big test, Ireland in Dublin always is. They have a great record over the last couple of years and it’s a big, big test match.
“You can feel the excitement within the squad, the way they have trained, and we are looking for a very good performance.”
Unlike most pre-season’s which allow players the time to find their feet in competitive action, first up for the majority of the squad tomorrow is a test encounter and that is a different opportunity which the players need to be prepared says Jenkins.
“Going into a match like this is never easy,” he added.
“Most season’s players get a few pre-season outings under their belts to get ticking but this time around they have to get up and running straight away in a test environment and that’s a different challenge that they need to be ready for.
“Playing a test match first up is different but you have to adapt to it.
“We know we need to step it up tomorrow from a few weeks ago and hopefully we will be able to do that.
“Ireland are an intelligent, tough side with some world class players coming back in for them so its going to be a big day for both sides.”
