The former Welsh prop Gethin Jenkins bid farewell to professional rugby this afternoon as his Cardiff Blues took on Zebre in the Pro 14.
Admittedly early on into the new season to be announcing his retirement, Wales' most-capped ever international, a chronic knee injury has left Gethin Jenkins with no other choice.
Making his introduction to today's match with a little over 23-minutes remaining, the 37-year-old announced himself on a game where Cardiff were falling below expectations.
Driving the team on to secure the late scores required for a bonus-point win, Jenkins was even afforded the opportunity of seeing out his playing career in a manner some may remember from John Muldoon's final game representing Connacht.
Last kick of the game, with Cardiff now cruising, it didn't go exactly to plan.
Shame he couldn't nail the conversion but what a player Gethin Jenkins has been #Melon pic.twitter.com/WRKjLMzV0c
— Mikey Roberts 🏴 (@mikeyroberts81) November 4, 2018
Making his final appearance in the Connacht jersey against Leinster at the tail end of last season's Pro 14 clash, Muldoon memorably converted his own attempt; much to the chagrin of certain less humourous opponents.
As some keen-eyed viewers pointed out, however, Jenkins hadn't looked that comfortable in the task from the outset.
Love how Gethin Jenkins didn’t know how to put the ball on the kicking tee for his conversion! pic.twitter.com/i7wC0QAOUd
— Simon Thomas (@simonrug) November 4, 2018
Gethin Jenkins ends a glittering career with @cardiff_blues, Wales and @lionsofficial with a conversion attempt! 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/djtzy9z6al
— Alex Bywater (@_AlexBywater) November 4, 2018
An absolute legend of Welsh rugby, Gethin Jenkins managed 129-appearances for the national side in total.
