Jenkins sets sights on World Cup

Legendary outside-half Neil Jenkins celebrated his recall to arms by Wales today by immediately setting his sights on next year…

Legendary outside-half Neil Jenkins celebrated his recall to arms by Wales today by immediately setting his sights on next year's World Cup in Australia.

Jenkins, the most prolific points scorer in international rugby, will start a Test for the first time in 18 months when he wins his 87th cap against Romania at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground on Friday night.

"I would not be here if I did not have the aim of going to the World Cup next year," insisted Jenkins, after being recalled by coach Steve Hansen for the first of the four autumn internationals.

"There would be no point. I would be just wasting Steve's time as they could bring someone else in.

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"Steve has given me this opportunity so hopefully I can take it. I have done everything that everyone has asked of me. I have played four games and scored 80-odd points so I am more than happy with my form."

The former Cardiff player is one of 10 changes for the visit of Romania. Jenkins' Pontypridd club mates Sonny Parker and Gethin Jenkins will make their Test debuts at centre and prop respectively while three other players - hooker Mefin Davies, lock Robert Sidoli and prop Martyn Madden - get their first starts.

The 25-year-old Parker will become the sixth New Zealand-born player to appear for Wales having completed a three-year residency rule. He emulates Dale McIntosh, Hemi Taylor, Matt Cardey, Shane Howarth and Brett Sinkinson.

Cardiff hooker Andrew Lewis will take over on the replacements' bench from Robin McBryde if the Llanelli forward fails to recover from an ankle injury.

The Wales team to play Romania in a Test match at Wrexham on Friday, November 1st:

Rhys Williams (Cardiff); Mark Jones (Llanelli), Tom Shanklin (Saracens), Sonny Parker (Pontypridd), Gareth Thomas (Bridgend); Neil Jenkins (Pontypridd), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli); Scott Quinnell (Llanelli), Michael Owen (Pontypridd), Colin Charvis (Swansea, capt), Robert Sidoli (Pontypridd), Steve Williams (Northampton Saints), Gethin Jenkins (Pontypridd), Mefin Davies (Pontypridd), Martyn Madden (Llanelli).

Replacements:Robin McBryde (Llanelli) or Andrew Lewis (Cardiff), Ben Evans (Swansea), Gareth Llewellyn (Neath), Gavin Thomas (Bath Rugby), Ryan Powell (Cardiff), Stephen Jones (Llanelli), Craig Morgan (Cardiff)