Jenkins sets sights on 2013

While most are only thining of RWC 2011 glory, Gethin Jenkins is targetting a milestone after as well: the B&I Lions tour in 2013.

Jenkins is the ultimate modern prop, atrong at scrum-time but also hugely mobile and with a terrific tackle and ruck count.

Those attributes have earned him 74 caps for Wales and five Lions Test caps as he enters his thirtieth year, admitting that Ausrtalia 2013 is likely to be his international swansong.

"I will be targeting a third Lions tour, but that is something for the future," said Jenkins to the Western Mail.

"I don't think I will go on much longer than that.

"But players play at 36 and 37 and it's all about how far your body takes you."

A few niggles are starting to eat away at Jenkins' game-time, with a calf injury ruling him out of the June tour to New Zealand.

He used the time to rest a bit, before taking his time to reach fitness again and tear into a new season in better shape than ever.

"I have really targeted getting fit this summer and being as fit as I can," said Jenkins.

"The older I get, the harder it gets to be fit. When I was younger, I could fit in two weeks.

"I was gutted to miss the tour, but the six weeks I had off was what I needed.

"I am fully fit and, touch wood, will stay injury free for the whole of next season. With injuries, you do lose your fitness because you train and run less. It can be a losing battle."

Should Jenkins make the World Cup next year and Lions tour two years later, it would be his third time at each, a remarkable playing record for a prop in the modern era.

With Cardiff Blues coach Dai Young introducing a special fitness regime for the players who are a little longer in the tooth - Martyn Williams is the obvious example - Jenkins is thinking it easily achievable though.

"Hanging around with someone like Martyn, you realise that you have to look after your body, but also what you have to do to do that," said Jenkins.

"You have specific programmes to help prevent injuries.

"The game is so much more physical now and a Monday or a Tuesday after a game are a write-off.

"The season is all about recovery and being fit for the next game. If the game was only about playing on a Saturday, this would be a hell of a life. There is so much more to the game nowadays.

"Players do a lot more rehab and spend more time with physios than ever before.

"You cut down on drinking as much as you can because you realise it can take longer for you to recover.

"That doesn't mean you don't celebrate or drown your sorrows after a big game, but you do realise you have to knuckle down and look after yourself properly."