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Jenkins raring to go

Jenkins raring to go

Gethin Jenkins admits he will be a man on a mission when Wales take on Argentina on Saturday.

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The three-time Grand Slammer has been an understudy to former England prop Andrew Sheridan since making the switch to Toulon in the summer.

He was warned by forwards coach Robin McBryde that he is under mounting pressure from Paul James but is determined to prove a point against the Pumas.

“You always have a point to prove when you put the Welsh jersey on,” said Jenkins.

“I certainly would have not taken my place for granted during this series, I know there are people putting pressure on me.

“Paul has been playing well in England and Ryan Bevington has been starting regularly for the Ospreys. So I am happy the coaches have shown faith in me.

“I have not started as many games in France as I would have liked, but on the positive side I have still been involved in 15 matches with Toulon. I am fresh and raring to go and get stuck in for my country again.”

The Dove Men Series clash with Argentina is the first Test in a crucial season for Jenkins.

Warren Gatland will be keeping a close eye on all of the home nations’ matches ahead of the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia.

And Jenkins is desperate to complete a Lions hat-trick by jetting Down Under in June.

“Every player who is involved with the four home nations has Lions ambitions and I am no different,” added Jenkins.

 “I have been involved with two tours and they are the pinnacle of your career, so I would like to be involved again.”

But the former Cardiff Blues prop is well aware of the threat posed by Argentina following their recent involvement in the inaugural Rugby Championship.

“They have had the first experience of playing in a major tournament outside the World Cup,” added Jenkins.

“They will have had a good build-up and time together and know each other a lot better.

“Every time we play Argentina we know they are going to pose a strong forward challenge and a lot of their players are now in France.”

And Jenkins highlighted Pumas captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe,  a teammate of his at Toulon.

“He has already made an impact since he came back from Argentina duty.

“He has only been back a couple of weeks at Toulon, but you can tell he is a leader and brings a lot of class to the game up front.

“He is a good guy and we have been having a bit of banter ahead of this fixture.”

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