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Neil Jenkins

Neil Jenkins (born 8 July 1971) is a Welsh former player and current coach, widely regarded as one of the sport's most prolific points scorers. Best known for his role as a fly-half, he amassed 1,049 points in 87 Test matches for between 1991 and 2002, making him the nation's highest-ever international points scorer and the first player worldwide to surpass 1,000 points in Test rugby. Jenkins was awarded an in 2000 for services to . Jenkins began his professional career with in 1990, where he made 237 appearances and scored over 3,000 points before moving to in 1999 and later joining the in 2003. His domestic prowess as a goal-kicker and playmaker translated seamlessly to the international stage, where he debuted for at age 19 against in 1991. Notable highlights include scoring a "" (try, , penalty, and drop-goal) in his 1,000th-point international match and a dramatic last-minute in 1999 that secured a 32-31 victory over , denying them the Five Nations title. He also represented the British and Irish Lions on their 1997 to —scoring 41 points across three Tests—and the 2001 to . Retiring as a player in 2004, Jenkins transitioned into coaching with the (WRU), initially focusing on skills development for the national team. He served as an assistant coach for the Lions on their 2021 tour to , marking his sixth involvement with the touring side. As of October 2025, Jenkins continues in a full-time role with the WRU as a skills coach, working directly with players on personalized development plans across the men's professional game, including sessions with clubs like and the Dragons.

Early Life

Background and Education

Neil Jenkins was born on 8 July 1971 in Church Village, near in the area of , to a dealer father and his wife. He received his primary education at Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School in the local area. Jenkins continued his schooling at Bryn Celynnog in Beddau, where he first displayed notable athletic talent in from a young age, standing out among peers as early as eight years old.

Introduction to Rugby

Growing up in a close-knit community, was a prominent part of school life. From a young age, Jenkins displayed a natural aptitude for sports, but it was that captured his passion early on. His father, , recalled that Jenkins' talent became evident when he was just eight years old, consistently outperforming his peers during local games. Jenkins' formal introduction to organized rugby came at Llantwit Fardre , where he joined the under-eights team but was advanced to play with older boys due to his advanced skills and physical maturity. This early exposure fostered a rigorous ; he spent countless hours practicing on local fields like Caewathan, often alone or alongside childhood friend and future teammate Paul John, honing his kicking and passing techniques. By the age of 12, Jenkins had firmly committed to , turning down a with a club in to focus exclusively on the sport. His dedication during these formative years, marked by solitary drills after school, laid the groundwork for his precision and reliability as a player. As a teenager, Jenkins continued to develop through youth setups, transitioning from school and junior club to more competitive environments. These early experiences in the Valleys rugby scene, characterized by community support and intense local rivalries, shaped Jenkins into a resilient and goal-oriented .

Playing Career

Domestic Clubs

Jenkins began his domestic club career with , joining the club at the age of 15 and making his senior debut in 1990. He remained with Pontypridd for the majority of his playing days, appearing in 237 matches between 1990 and 2003 and establishing himself as the club's all-time leading points scorer with over 3,000 points. During this period, which spanned both the amateur and professional eras of Welsh rugby, Jenkins primarily played as a fly-half, contributing significantly to Pontypridd's campaigns in the and European competitions. In 1999, Jenkins transferred to Cardiff RFC, where he spent three seasons bolstering the team's backline with his renowned goal-kicking and playmaking abilities. His time at Cardiff coincided with the professionalization of the sport, and he helped the club compete in domestic leagues and the Heineken Cup, though specific achievements were limited by the transitional nature of Welsh rugby structures. Jenkins returned to in July 2002 on a two-year contract, seeking to reconnect with his formative club amid ongoing challenges in his international career. In the 2002-03 season, he played a key role in 's efforts to secure a place in the inaugural , scoring crucial points in tight matches against rivals. With the introduction of regional rugby in for the 2003-04 season, Jenkins joined the , a short-lived merger of and RFC. The Warriors competed in the and Heineken Cup, where Jenkins featured prominently; the team notably defeated English champions London Wasps 14-9 in a pool-stage upset at on 11 January 2004, ending Wasps' unbeaten run. Despite the promise, the region folded after one season due to financial issues, marking the end of Jenkins' club career. He retired in June 2004 following a with .

Wales National Team

Neil Jenkins made his debut for the on 19 January 1991 against at , aged 19, in a Five Nations Championship match that lost 6–25. Playing primarily as a fly-half but also capable at full-back, Jenkins quickly established himself as a reliable performer, known for his exceptional goal-kicking accuracy and tactical awareness during a challenging period for Welsh rugby in the early 1990s. Over his international career spanning 1991 to 2002, Jenkins earned 87 caps for , scoring a total of 1,049 points—comprising 11 tries, 130 conversions, 235 penalties, and 10 drop goals—making him the highest points scorer in Welsh rugby history. His consistency as a kicker provided crucial stability, particularly as endured a winless run in the Five Nations from 1993 to 1996, where his penalties and conversions often kept scores competitive. Jenkins featured prominently in the hosted in , playing in all four pool matches: a 23–18 win over , a 64–15 victory against , a 31–38 loss to , and a 9–24 defeat by . These performances helped advance to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1987, though they were eliminated 24–9 by eventual champions ; Jenkins contributed points in three of the games, underscoring his role in the team's attacking structure. A pinnacle of his career came in the 1999 Five Nations, where he set a Welsh record by scoring 30 points (including five penalties, four conversions, and a try) in a 60–21 win over at the . On 17 March 2001 against , Jenkins became the first player in history to surpass 1,000 international points, scoring 28 points—including a try, four conversions, three penalties, and two drop goals—for a in a thrilling 43–35 victory. Jenkins' final appearance for was on 1 November 2002 against in , a 40–3 victory where he added to his points tally. Despite his form, he was omitted from the squad due to injuries and selection preferences under coach , prompting his retirement from international on 11 May 2003 at age 31. Throughout his tenure, Jenkins' reliability and record-breaking contributions provided a bright spot in an era of transition for Welsh , influencing the sport's emphasis on specialist kickers.

British and Irish Lions

Jenkins was selected for the 1997 British and Irish Lions tour to , where he played as full-back in all three Test matches against the Springboks. His precise goalkicking proved instrumental in the Lions' 2-1 series victory, contributing 41 points across the Tests, including five penalties in the 30-28 win of the first Test in and five more in the 20-15 second Test success in . Overall, Jenkins amassed 101 points in eight tour appearances, helping maintain pressure on the world champions through consistent scoring. He returned for the 2001 Lions tour to but was limited by injury, featuring in just one —the opening 29-13 victory over the Wallabies—before being sidelined for the remainder of the series, which ended in a 1-1 draw after a 35-14 loss in the second and a 29-29 draw in the decider. Across his two tours, Jenkins made 12 appearances and scored 142 points , underscoring his reputation as a reliable points machine in high-stakes international .

Coaching Career

Wales National Team

After retiring as a player in 2004, Neil Jenkins joined the (WRU) as a kicking skills coach for its academies. He transitioned to working with the senior national team in 2006 as skills and kicking coach, a role he held for nearly two decades under multiple head coaches. During this period, Jenkins contributed to ' successes, including victories in the in 2008, 2012, and 2019, as well as the quarter-final appearance. His expertise in kicking and skills development was instrumental in player improvement, particularly in high-pressure match situations. In September 2025, following the appointment of interim head coach Steve Tandy, Jenkins was not retained as part of the national team's coaching staff for the autumn internationals. However, on 16 October 2025, the WRU confirmed that he continues in a full-time role as a skills coach, focusing on individualized player development plans across the men's professional game. This includes conducting sessions with clubs such as Cardiff Rugby and the Dragons, working with players like Rhys Patchell and Leigh Halfpenny.

British and Irish Lions

Jenkins served as kicking coach for the British and Irish Lions on four consecutive tours: 2009 to , 2013 to , 2017 to , and 2021 to . In these roles, he worked closely with , supporting the team's kicking strategies and contributing to series outcomes, including the 2–1 victory over in 2009 and the drawn series against in 2017. He was not selected for the 2025 tour to under .

Personal Life

Awards and Honours

Neil Jenkins has received several notable awards and honours throughout his rugby career and beyond, recognizing his exceptional contributions as a player and coach. In 2000, Jenkins was awarded the Member of the () in the New Year's Honours List for his services to football in Wales. He received the honour at , shortly before returning to play in a match for . Jenkins was named the Welsh Rugby Writers' Association's Wales men's player of the year in both 1994 and 1995. In 1994, his award came after a standout performance where he scored all 17 of ' points in their Five Nations victory over . The following year, despite enduring a Five Nations whitewash, he was recognized for his consistent kicking prowess, including the team's sole try of the tournament. As a testament to his enduring legacy, Jenkins became the first player in history to surpass 1,000 points in international matches, achieving this milestone during his international career. He holds the record as ' all-time leading points scorer with 1,049 points from 87 caps. In 2019, Jenkins was appointed president of , the club where he made 237 appearances and scored over 3,000 points. Two years later, in 2021, he was granted the Freedom of , the highest civic honour of the county borough, in recognition of his services to . The award was presented at a council meeting on November 24, 2021. Jenkins is married to Cathy Jenkins.

Media and Other Activities

During his playing career, Jenkins engaged in media projects that highlight his rugby legacy. In 1998, he co-authored the autobiography Life at Number 10 with journalist Paul Rees, which chronicles his rise from a working-class background in the Rhondda Valley to becoming one of rugby's most reliable goal-kickers. That same year, BBC Wales produced the documentary Working Class Hero, a profile of Jenkins' life and achievements that earned the Royal Television Society's Regional Sports Documentary award in 1999. In other activities, Jenkins serves as an ambassador for Oil 4 , a providing to vulnerable households across , drawing on his personal roots to support community welfare initiatives.

References

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    Neil Jenkins: Ten things you should know about the Lions assistant ...
    Jun 6, 2021 · Born on 8 July 1971 in Church Village, Jenkins was a pupil at Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School in Beddau, which also boasts fellow ...
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    Neil Jenkins Rugby Bio | News, Stats, Team, Height, Age | RugbyPass
    Neil Jenkins was the first player to ever score 1,000 points in international matches. Today, he's a respected coach who remains Wales' highest ever points ...
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    Neil Jenkins' new job announced as Wales star out with 'uncommon ...
    Oct 16, 2025 · Here are your rugby evening headlines for Thursday, October 16. Article continues below. Neil Jenkins' role confirmed by WRU.
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    4549. Neil Roger Jenkins - Llantrisant
    Jul 8, 1971 · Jenkins was born in Church Village near Pontypridd, Wales to a scrap dealer and his wife. He attended Llanilltud Faerdref primary school and ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
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    The REAL Neil Jenkins - Wales Online
    May 31, 2003 · Neil's talent for the game had been apparent from an early age. "He was in front of all of them when he was just eight, he always shone," he ...
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    Jul 7, 2022 · The Welshman won 87 caps for his country and became the first player to break the 1,000 point barrier in international rugby yet it is his ...Missing: education background
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    BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Celtic | Jenkins seals Ponty return
    Jul 18, 2002 · Neil Jenkins revealed one of Welsh rugby's worst-kept secrets on Thursday by leaving Cardiff and returning to Pontypridd in a two-year deal.
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    Jenkins' boot keeps Pontypridd on track | The Independent
    Sep 21, 2002 · Neil Jenkins kept Pontypridd firmly on course for the Celtic League quarter-finals by staging a goalkicking master-class in a 28-27 win over ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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    Wasps stung by try on the Celtic fringe | Rugby union - The Guardian
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    Born in Church Village, Wales, Jenkins made 237 appearances for Pontypridd amassing 3,185 points. He went onto play for Cardiff and Celtic Warriors at the ...
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    A fully sortable list of all of Neil Jenkins career appearances. View Stats. Player Vs Team. View a detailed overview of Neil Jenkins vs each team he has ...
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    Neil Jenkins - Appearances by team. We've searched our databases and compiled a list of all games where Neil Jenkins made an appearance for Wales.
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    WALES | Jenkins' record-breaking year ends in style - BBC News
    Dec 31, 1999 · Neil Jenkins broke the test points record against Samoa · In 18 months Neil Jenkins has averaged 20 points a match for Wales · Neil Jenkins has ...
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    May 1, 2018 · History was made during the 2001 NatWest 6 Nations match between France and Wales when Welsh fly-half Neil Jenkins broke into uncharted territory.
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    May 11, 2003 · The 31-year-old fly-half, with 1,090 international points to his name, made the decision after a series of niggling injuries affected his form.
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    NEW YEARS HONOURS | MBE civil (H - M) - BBC News
    Dec 31, 1999 · ... Neil Roger Jenkins, For services to Rugby Union Football in Wales. (Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff) Peter Jenkins, Community Pharmacist. For ...
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    Nov 18, 2021 · Former Wales player Neil Jenkins and RCT's key workers were awarded with the honour at a meeting of full council on Wednesday, November 24. ‌.
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    Bibliographic information ; Title, Life at Number 10 ; Author, Neil Jenkins ; Publisher, Mainstream, 1998 ; Length, 191 pages.
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    Meet Our Ambassadors | Oil 4 Wales
    “Just a normal working class guy at the end of the day” – Neil Jenkins is a current rugby union coach and used to play for various Welsh and Irish teams back at ...