 Jenkins says he feels 'far more positive' about the Wales job |
The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed that it has a shortlist of six candidates for the Wales coaching job. Gareth Jenkins is one definite on that list after revealing he had applied.
The Llanelli Scarlets director of rugby was overlooked two years ago in favour of Mike Ruddock, who stepped down amidst controversy in February.
Ex-Wales star Phil Davies, the director of rugby at Leeds Tykes, is also believed to have applied as the WRU is thought to favour a Welsh candidate.
The likes of ex-Italy coach John Kirwan, Canterbury Crusaders coach Robbie Deans and former Springbok coach Nick Mallett have all ruled themselves out.
The Union is hoping to whittle the six candidates down to two by the end of April.
Those remaining two are expected to be put forward to the WRU board as preferred candidates before an Emergency General Meeting scheduled for 14 May.
Jenkins is the people's choice and threw his hat into the ring on Friday, the deadline for applications, saying he felt it was "now or never".
"At the end of the day I would love to do the job and believe I have a lot to offer," said Jenkins, who was a coach on last summer's Lions tour.
"Having made the decision to apply it's now out of my hands and I have nothing further to add."
Jenkins must now switch his focus, for this weekend at least, to the Scarlets' bid to beating Wasps in the the Powergen Cup final at Twickenham on Sunday.
Jenkins had vowed not to apply while Welsh Rugby Union chairman David Pickering and chief executive Steve Lewis were still in charge.
But the decision by the Union's 245 member clubs to call an EGM has encouraged Jenkins that there could now be changes on the executive board.
However, Ruddock issued a joint statement with the WRU, released on Friday night, that appeared to signal an end to any dispute he had with his former employers.
The Scarlets chief feels he was "publicly humiliated" in March 2004 when the WRU was seeking a successor for Steve Hansen.
A shortlist was whittled down to Jenkins and Harlequins chief executive Mark Evans, before Ruddock was encouraged to apply as a late candidate.
"Lots of factors have changed and I feel far more positive than I have up until now and far more reassured," Jenkins added.
"At the end of the day, as much as I feel it is a job that most people would give their right arms for, me included, it has a big impact on the next period of my life."
MMIX
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