Jenks marking time for Wasps

[icWales] TIME cannot pass quickly enough for Neil Jenkins after Pontypridd were handed home advantage for the second-leg of their Parker Pen Cup semi-final with Wasps.

All being well, the injured record points scorer will be fighting fit in time to take on the London aristocrats on April 12.

After that, Ponty will have the advantage of knowing the exact size of the task when they take Wasps back to Sardis Road the following week.

But not only will the hopefully fit-again Jenkins be aiming to steer Ponty to a second successive European final, but he will also be re-united with his long-term former sidekick Rob Howley.

"That's really going to add a personal touch to the game for both of us," said Jenkins.

"We played together so many times that I can't even remember the last time we were on opposite teams.

"We keep in touch and I'm glad that he's enjoying his rugby so much at Wasps. Good luck to him."

Indeed, the former Cardiff, Wales and British Lions team-mates were straight on the phone to each other for some early pre-match banter after yesterday's semi-final draw.

Howley said: "It will be strange to play against my mate Jenks, but at least I will be able to tell the rest of the lads what it is like to play at Sardis Road. We wanted to be away for the first leg so now it's a case of building up as big a lead as we can in the first game at home."

Certainly Jenkins was also well aware that the draw, held at the north London training ground of fellow semi-finalists Saracens - who face Bath, had handed Ponty the first psychological blow.

"We probably wanted it like that so we can see where we stand after the first game and we will know exactly what we have to do when we return for the second in front of our own fans," he said.

"But we know what a quality side Wasps are and that they are going to be two very tough games."

In the meantime, however, the main priority for Jenkins is getting out of plaster after he broke a bone in his left thumb against Connacht last week.

The injury has already ruled the Wales fly-half out of next month's Six Nations games against Italy and England- but he is determined not let that interfere with his reunion and semi-final dreams.

"It's disappointing to miss the start of the Six Nations as well as some important games for Pontypridd," said Jenkins.

"It obviously wasn't guaranteed that I would have started for either as both Ceri Sweeney and Stephen Jones (Llanelli) have both been playing very well, so I never had a problem with that, but I would have liked to have been involved in the Wales squad.

"The one pleasing thing is that I didn't need an operation. It's already the third broken bone I have suffered this season and hopefully that is it for now."

Meanwhile, a scan has revealed that Pontypridd centre Jon Bryant has torn a muscle in his calf and so he is unlikely to return in time for the Premiership game against Caerphilly on February