Cardiff and Wales flanker Ellis Jenkins to retire at end of season

Cardiff and Wales flanker Ellis Jenkins has announced his retirement at the end of the season, bringing an end to a remarkable career that has seen him overcome a career-threatening knee injury.

Jenkins, who will turn 31 next week, has played 147 times for Cardiff and made 15 appearances for Wales. His decision to retire comes after battling back from a near career-ending knee injury suffered while playing for Wales in 2018.

“I told Jockey (Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt) at the start of the season this would be my last one after 13 years,” said Jenkins. “It feels like the right time. There have been a lot of highs and lows through my career and my knee still requires a lot of management, particularly if I’m playing week in, week out.”

After coming through the Cardiff system, Jenkins played a key role in Wales becoming the first team to beat New Zealand at Under-20 level in 2012. He also led the side to a second-placed finish a year later. His crowning moment for Cardiff came in Bilbao as he led the team to a second European Challenge Cup title.

Jenkins’ career was derailed by a significant ACL knee injury in 2018, but he displayed remarkable resilience to return to action, adding 43 club appearances and a further four Test caps to his name. His last Wales appearance came in the 2022 Six Nations defeat by Ireland in Dublin.

The URC match against Edinburgh on Saturday afternoon will be Jenkins’ last at the Arms Park, and he is looking forward to one final flourish in front of the Cardiff faithful.

“It’s always a sad moment when a player retires, particularly one of Ellis’ calibre and stature in the game,” said Sherratt. “He can be proud of everything he has achieved both in a Cardiff and Wales jersey. To come back from that injury tells you everything you need to know about his determination.”