By Andrew Collins
December 5 2005

Cardiff Blues, Wales and Brittish Lions star, Gethin Jenkins has signed a 3 year extension to his contract. The prop, widely considered the best in Britain, turned down four high profile English teams to stay with the Welsh region.

One of the few players to return from New Zealand with any praise, Gethin has been in high demand with his contract running up at the end of this season. Northampton, Saracens, Wasps and Leicster were all reported as interested, but instead he opted for Cardiff, and for another 3 seasons.

And Geth says his main reason for signing, was Dai Young;

"Obviously I’m happy to have signed the contract and commit myself to the Cardiff Blues. There is a great feeling amongst the squad and we are all keen to develop our careers here. To have a prop of Dai’s quality coaching you is obviously of huge benefit to a front row forward such as myself."

Gethin joins Rhys Williams and Rhys Thomas in renewing his contract, but Jenks, Dai proudest asset, had an extra year put on his parchment.

Time will only tell how many more of his former Warrior collegues resign with Cardiff. Deiniol Jones, Lee Thomas, Robert Sidoli, Mark Lewis and Matthew Nutthall all arrived from the demise of Valleys rugby, but with Nathan Budgett and Shaun James already having left, how many of those players remain, is at the moment unclear.

Other contracts set to expire include Maama Molitika, Kort Schubert, Roger Warren, Ben Evans and Tristan Davies.

Dai will be keen to cling on Rob Sidoli, but the majority of those players will have contracts restructured with feeder and premiership teams so they are at Dai's beck and call should needs be, but with the likes of Cardiff, Ponty and Glamorgan for their regular season.