Rowan Jenkins takes an Ospreys leap
The 25-year-old joined his new club at a training camp in Waterloo.
The young man featured off the bench against Belgium and has built an impressive reputation in the red and black of the Aberavon Wizards. He is a model of consistency in the front row and has made more than 170 appearances for the Wizards since signing in 2010.
While involved in the Scarlets age-grade squad, Jenkins played alongside the likes of Lloyd Ashley, Dan Baker, Ben John, Rhodri Jones and Eli Walker.
Not only is this young man a magnificent rugby player, he also has a full-time job as a prison officer. However, he has taken a career break to pursue this opportunity with the Ospreys.
Commenting on his new deal with Ospreys Jenkins said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for me. I’m really looking forward to a new challenge and giving it my best shot.
"I’m still finding my feet a bit, a little bit nervous, but it’s a chance for me to commit full time to my rugby, work hard and, hopefully, make the step up.
"I’ve been talking to Andy Lloyd for a while now and was fortunate to get a call to go to Belgium last month, which I really enjoyed, it was a great experience that gave me a taste of what this is about. Doing it every day, week in, week out is another level again and I know the size of the challenge.
"Aberavon are a great club. They’ve supported me over the last six years, helping me towards this, and I’m thankful for that support," he added.
Ospreys head coach, Steve Tandy, added, "Rowan [Jenkins] has been one of the leading loose heads in the Principality Premiership over the last few years and we’ve been watching his development, which led to him coming to Belgium where were able to take a closer look at him within our environment.
"He has all the raw ingredients needed to be an Osprey, along with a desire to be the best he can be, and he has earned this opportunity with a remarkable level of consistency for Aberavon.
"He’ll be with us seven days a week now, in an environment geared to development, which will encourage him to keep working hard towards becoming a full-fledged Osprey.
"His progression gives a positive message to players in the Principality Premiership, that if you work hard, play well and keep developing, you will be noticed. Not everyone will follow the traditional pathway through regional age-grade, but whoever you are, if you are performing at a Premiership club, there is a pathway through to the Ospreys for you," the coach added.
