Rugby Union: Over the posts but not over the moon

Five Nations Countdown: England have reason the fear the dead- eye Dragon while Scotland's stand-off is on the rebound; Neil Jenkins, kicker supreme, thinks his role for Wales is off target, he tells Ian Stafford

IT IS incredible to think that Neil Jenkins, with his 53 international caps and national points record, is still only 26 years old. His has been a strange career, in which his game has changed little, but his stock has risen and fallen like the hopes of a Welsh rugby fanatic.

Recognised universally as just about the best goal-kicker in the game, and a man whose steely nerve swung the score in favour of the Lions against the South Africans last summer, Jenkins is nevertheless much maligned for his supposed lack of creativity as a stand-off, and his suspect defence when wearing the No 15 jersey.

Season after season the Pontypridd player and Welsh international takes it on the chin, but deep down it hurts, and he is left wondering what he has to do to please his critics.

"I just wish people would take me for what I am," he said as we met in the Angel Hotel, a Jenkins' conversion away from Cardiff's new National Stadium which is slowly taking shape for next year's World Cup final.

"I know I'm not a Barry John, a Phil Bennett or a Jonathan Davies, but I believe I make up for this in other areas, especially my tackling and kicking. I certainly feel that I'm good enough to be in the Welsh side as a back, even if I wasn't the team kicker."

It is true, however, that Jenkins suffers in comparison with such exciting backs as Howley, Gibbs, Bateman and Evans. "Yeah, I know," he acknowledges. "But if I'm not an attacking back, how come I've scored 75 tries for Pontypridd?

"I've had a mixed press over the years, and people will probably pick on me until the day I retire. I can often ignore it, but there are other times when I can get depressed about the flak. Maybe I should speak out a bit more about it."

You might think Jenkins' awesome display of kicking, under just about the biggest pressure imaginable, against the Springboks would finally end all debate over the merits of his selection. The man himself is not too proud to admit that as the whistle blew at the end of the series-clinching second Test, he felt a personal, as well as a collective, triumph.

"To be honest, I felt personally vindicated for my performances with the Lions. I couldn't help but think, `sod you,' to all those who continually knock me. As I ran off the pitch, I thought: `Well, nobody can take this away from me.'"

Yet, despite making it perfectly clear that he saw himself as a stand- off, and wanted only to be selected in this position, Jenkins was chosen as full-back for last week's close win over Italy, and will again find himself as the last line of defence when the Welsh meet England at Twickenham tomorrow.

Kevin Bowring's policy has, once again, left Jenkins feeling more than a little hard done by. "Don't get me wrong," he explains. "I'm immensely honoured to play for my country, but I'm definitely not keen about playing as full-back. Outside-half's my position, and that's where I want to play.

"I feel that if I'm not good enough to play as stand-off, then I shouldn't be in the side. I'm keeping out good full-backs, who play in that position week in, week out for their clubs. At the start of the season I said I only wanted to be considered as a stand-off not as a full-back, but Kevin wants both me and Arwel Thomas in the side. I'm not very happy about it."

The problem with Jenkins is that his masterful kicking makes him a must for virtually any side, but also dominates his image as a player. "It was the same with Grant Fox," Jenkins says. "He was a tremendous No 10, but because he was also such a great kicker people forgot about his skills as a creator.

"Believe me, converting a penalty kick doesn't compare to scoring a try. I've scored six for Wales, and remember every single one, down to the fine detail. I also remember the three I've lost on the line. There's nothing I like more than being involved in an expansive game, where the ball is constantly kept in hand. But I'll also take any kind of win, even if it means I score all the points through my boot."

Jenkins did not plan to become such a proficient place kicker. In his first season at Pontypridd, he did not even assume kicking duties. Yet when he was asked to give it a go, he discovered a natural leaning towards the art. "I used to go down to Cad Fardre, my local playing pitch just outside Pontypridd, and practice and practice at my kicking. In fact, whenever I place kick in a match, I just imagine I'm at Cad Fardre, and that manages to blot out must of the noise, and the pressure."

It seems to have worked pretty well. Jenkins has amassed over 560 international points, and this for a side that has not enjoyed too much success in the 1990s. The few off days he remembers vividly. "There was the international at home to Ireland. I think I scored three out of my 10 kicks, and we lost by a couple of points. And then there was the cup final against Swansea." After this, he struggles to recall others.

His successes, on the other hand, are so many that England will be well aware that any penalties given away inside their own half on Saturday will almost certainly result in three points to the Welsh.

This, he is honest enough to concede, may not be enough to stem the English flow. "I think it's going to be very difficult for us," he admits. "England have tons of talented players, and there may well be a bit of a backlash from them after their defeat in Paris. They'll be hurting, and they'll want to put things right.

"On the other hand, though, we've got nothing to lose. England will move the ball around a bit, which will suit us, and the French showed that the English are only human. I think the likes of Scott Gibbs would have noticed how the French backs managed to cut through the English defence. Whatever the result, I suspect this will be our toughest Five Nations match."

Of the others Jenkins is more hopeful, if cautious. "I just get fed up of the Welsh always talking about what we can do, or what we're about to do. There's been so many false dawns. Maybe we should keep quiet and get on with it.

"For some reason, we're struggling a little. Against Italy we totally dominated the match, but ended winning by just three points. I don't know how we managed to do that. But I'm quite happy to say that there's no reason why we can't beat the Scots and French at Wembley, and the Irish in Dublin. I don't think three wins are beyond us."

Further solid displays by Jenkins, even if he is a reluctant full-back, will only serve to strengthen Bath's intention to sign him for next season. An offer is on the table, and Jenkins, growing less patient with Welsh rugby by the week, looks likely to sign at the end of the season.

"Ever since the Lions tour I've been keen to play in the Allied Dunbar League," he admits. "In Wales there are three good sides, four at most. In England every side in the premier league is a top team. It can only improve me as a player if I moved to England. I've been with Pontypridd for 12 years, which is a long time. I see possibly another eight years ahead of me, and I'd like to play at a higher standard on a regular basis."

It may not be as simple as that, however. "I've got a problem with the WRU," he adds. "They don't want me to go, and I've signed a contract with Reebok, which means that I'm supposed to play for a Welsh club. I don't think this can stop me going, though, if I actually decide to do so. I'll make my final decision in June, but it's flattering that the European champions should want me to play for them, and it does no harm to the confidence, either, especially when, elsewhere, I seem to be criticised."

Jenkins received a similar boost when selected for the Lions, although a broken arm against England during last year's Five Nations almost robbed him of the chance to tour, and the Lions of the principal kicker. "The doctor told me I didn't stand a chance of recovering in time, but I asked him to make out I would be back within 10 weeks, just so that people would not be put off me, and I would have a chance." Jenkins smiles. "Luckily it worked."

Indeed it did. He went on to provide a major slice of the high drama witnessed in Cape Town and, especially, in Durban. Tomorrow Jenkins may well be at it again, although this time it could be the English who suffer.

He may not like playing at full-back, and he continues to be upset by those who question his international credentials, but when it comes down to placing the ball on the ground, taking a few steps back, and preparing for what could be a vital kick, none of these qualms will enter his mind.

Where, then, will Neil Jenkins be if he is required to kick Wales to victory in the last minute of the match on Saturday? "Oh, that's an easy one," he replies. "I will be out on Cad Fardre field, where I always am."