This week he made a permanent transfer from Pontypridd to Maesteg Harlequins and head coach Dean Ronan is hoping he will be able to find the time to play in today’s WRU Championship Cup clash with Neath at The Gnoll.
The Quins have proved mighty opponents to date this season, winning their two games to top the Pool C table. They opened their account with a 32-23 home win over Neath and then went to Tata Steel and triumphed 17-7.
A hat-trick of wins would see them handily placed in Pool to progress to the knock-out stages and continue their rise through the ranks. Jenkins hopes to help in that process and then raise a tune to celebrate.
“We are delighted to announced that Rhydian has now joined us on a permanent basis from Pontypridd. He is no stranger to the club having played nine matches on permit over the past four seasons,” said a club statement.
“He holds a unique record in never having lost in a Quins jersey and long may that continue. He has also had experience of playing in the Premiership with Cross Keys.”
A Tenor who is currently studying MA Opera at the David Seligman Opera School at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, under the tuition of Adrian Thompson and John Fisher, he is building a big reputation for himself on the stage.
In 2020, he played the roles of Ferrando (Cosi fan tutte) and Basilio (Le Nozze di Figaro) in the college’s Winter Opera Gala and followed that with the roles of Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Count Almaviva (The Barber of Seville) and Basilio (The Marriage of Figaro) in the socially distanced Spring Opera productions. Earlier this year he also worked with the Wales National Opera at the Millennium Centre.
It is all a step up in the singing world from his earliest performances at both Wales’ Urdd and National Eisteddfods, where he achieved notable success earning over 80 national prizes. He has also been a TV regular on S4CV shows such as ‘Heno’, ‘Noson Lawen’ and ‘Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol’.
Now he hopes to be able to add The Gnoll to a list of impressive venues at which he has previously performed, such as The Royal Albert Hall, Wales Millennium Centre, St David’s Hall and Disneyland Paris.
“It’s great that Rhydian has joined us full-time and he’s clearly a quality player. He will add strength in depth at hooker for us, where he will be fighting it out with Jay and Cam for the jersey,” said Quins coach Ronan.
“Obviously he has other commitments alongside his rugby with his singing, but we are hoping he is going to be able to manage that to allow us to see a lot more of him in a Quins jersey.”
Neath recovered some poise in a friendly at Gilfach Goch, where they won 60-13. The starting line-up for this weekend shows several changes. Alun Jones returns to the back row to pack down alongside skipper Owain Morgan
Cross keys will have to be at their best to challenge unbeaten Bargoed in Pool A, while Ystalyfera will be hoping it is third time lucky when they head to Narberth in Pool D. Beddau host Cardiff met in Pool B.
WRU Championship Cup
Pool A: Bargoed v Cross Keys
Pool B: Beddau v Cardiff Met
Pool C: Neath v Maesteg Quins
Pool D: Narberth v Ystalyfera
