"100% Welsh" – Another England star reveals he wants to swap nations for Six Nations rival
10/08/2024 05:17 AM
Warren Gatland and Rob Howley were both in attendance at Ashton Gate last Friday to witness Gloucester’s thrilling win over Bristol Bears.
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The presence of the Wales head coach suggests he was there to keep a close eye on Gloucester’s Welsh half-backs, Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe, both of whom played significant roles in the victory.
While several Welsh-qualified players caught the eye, one player who came off the bench that night should be of particular interest to Welsh management.
Joe Jenkins, a former England U20s centre, also qualifies for Wales and is regarded as a highly promising young talent.
Jenkins turned professional with Bristol in July 2022, making an immediate impact by scoring twice on his debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup against Exeter.
He later made his Premiership debut against Saracens in November. His strong form earned him a place in the England U20s squad for the 2023 Six Nations and the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.
Byron Hayward's Interest in Jenkins
Former Wales U20s head coach Byron Hayward revealed his attempt to bring Jenkins into the Welsh fold. Speaking in February 2023, Hayward explained his efforts to select Jenkins, saying, “I spoke to Joe’s dad back in November because he is definitely a player we are interested in.”
Despite his Welsh qualification, Jenkins remained loyal to England, having progressed through their U18s programme and benefited from their rehabilitation support following a knee injury. Hayward added, “He is 100% Welsh and assured me that Joe wants to play for Wales at senior level. However, at this moment in time, he felt a loyalty to England because they've looked after him.”
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10. Ange Capuozzo (Italy) – The young Italian fullback has gained a lot of attention for his electrifying play and highlight-reel moments, but some critics feel that his defensive frailties and occasional lack of consistency make him less of an all-around threat than the hype suggests.
9. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) – Barrett is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, but some believe his performances have been inconsistent, particularly at the Test level in recent years. They argue that while he excels in Super Rugby, his form for the All Blacks has fluctuated.
8. Maro Itoje (England) – While Itoje is seen as a world-class lock and one of England’s key players, there are critics who believe that his influence is sometimes overstated, especially when England is struggling as a team.
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