Bristol Bears centre Joe Jenkins is being courted by the Welsh Rugby Union despite having worn the red rose of England throughout his youth career and been named in the England U20s squad for this season’s junior Six Nations.
In November, Joe Jenkins, 19, became Bristol’s youngest starting debutant in the Gallagher Premiership when he ran out against Saracens and has since gone on to be a tryscorer in Europe.
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The 6ft 3in, 15 and half stone centre is widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in the country and has been taken under the wing of Fijian superstar Semi Radradra and regular Bears starter Piers O’Conor as he hones his talents in midfield.
This week, Wales U20s head coach Byron Hayward revealed he tried to select Jenkins in his Wales U20s squad, and while he failed in his most recent attempt he hopes the centre, who names Welsh great Jonathan Davies as one of his rugby heroes, could still run out for the senior Wales side in the future.
He said: “I spoke to Joe's dad back in November because he is definitely a player we are interested in. He's Welsh qualified. He said Joe felt obligated to England because he'd come through their U18s programme, and they had rehabbed him through a knee injury which is totally explainable. I understand and quite admire his loyalty.
"He is 100 percent Welsh and assured me that Joe wants to play for Wales at senior level and sees himself as a Welshman. However, at this moment in time he felt a loyalty to England because they've looked after him."
Jenkins was born in Halifax, but qualifies for Wales through his father's side of the family who originally hails from Llanharan. The Monmouth School product, who played youth rugby at Hereford RFC, played for Newport Schools, and trialled for the Dragons U16s side but didn't make the cut at the region however Bristol were quick to recognise his potential and after a successful two-week trial decided to keep him on with the centre signing his first professional contract with the Bears in the summer (2022).
Jenkins has been out of action in recent weeks with a hamstring injury but is on the verge of a playing return and likely to feature for England U20s before the end of the Six Nations.
England U20s play Italy at Kingsholm on Friday night having narrowly beaten Scotland 41-36 in their opening game of the competition.
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