Gethin Jenkins: Not returning to Cardiff
Toulon team manager Tom Whitford has denied that Wales prop Gethin Jenkins will leave the Top 14 club to return to Cardiff Blues.
The Wales and British and Irish Lions front-rower has spent most of his time at Toloun on the replacements bench as cover for England's Andrew Sheridan.
That has led to speculation in the French media over Jenkins' future.
But Whitford said the 32-year-old is going nowhere.
"There's no reason why he'd want to leave us at the end of the season," he told the BBC.
Jenkins joined Toulon ahead of the 2012/13 season and was Wales' first-choice prop for their recent end-of-year opener against Argentina but lost his place in the starting XV to Bath's Paul James for the defeats to Samoa and New Zealand.
However, he was in Toulon's run-on side in their 62-0 home victory over Sale last weekend and Whitford said that like former All Black tight-head prop Carl Hayman, Jenkins might simply be taking time to settle at the club.
"We're very happy with Gethin... he's playing well and as far as I'm aware Gethin's happy as well," he added.
"He played against Sale at the weekend and had a good game as well so as far as we're aware... there's no reason why he'd want to leave us at the end of the season.
"He's under contract for next season [2013/14] so all being good he'll be here next year with us as well.
"He'd obviously like to play a bit more, but I think it takes a bit of time to adapt to playing in France sometimes.
"It's not just him. Two years ago Carl Hayman, when he first arrived, took a few months to adapt to playing in a French club in the French championship, hence why Gethin is taking a bit of time as well, perhaps.
"And with a bit of luck he'll keep going and keep playing well and his chance will come to play even more games, as Carl Hayman has done."
Comments
Kent says...
Well his mates don't think he will
Posted 22:11 18th December 2012
makemehappy says...
I'm a little surprised. Of course we all know why he went to Toulon (money - lots of it), but he seems like someone who would be out of place there generally, and who just loves his rugby.
Playing in a meaningful league is meaningless if you don't play more than he has.
Never mind! The WRU has ballsed up yet again by allowing him to leave.
Posted 19:18 18th December 2012
Sincero says...
For shame, Wales. For shame.
Posted 14:55 18th December 2012
melkdave says...
Myself i never had any doughts ,he would stay at Toulon for at least annother 2 years min.After all the whole point of going is to secure his long term future and to play in the later stages of a hard meaningful league and HC.
Posted 13:09 18th December 2012