Rugby World Cup: Welsh rugby's biggest day, claims Jenkins

Wales skills coach Neil Jenkins says the set piece will be the key factor in Saturday's game. Photo / Getty Images

Wales skills coach Neil Jenkins played 91 tests in a career that traversed some of the celebrated highs and the dreadful lows of the Welsh rugby team.

But not one of those tests was at Eden Park, where attention has shifted for the Rugby World Cup's four remaining games.

That's why he has strayed from the "we've just got to treat it like another game" company line that coaches love to trot out at every turn.

"It's probably the biggest, isn't it," Jenkins said. "There's obviously been a lot of grand slams, triple crowns and a third-place back in '87, but that was after quite a heavy defeat against New Zealand in the semis.

"I would say this is probably the biggest game that I've been involved in, and certainly the players and maybe Welsh rugby history."

Welsh rugby history is proud, but for the past 30 years that pride has manifested itself in chest-puffing reminiscences of the golden sides of the 1970s, rather than consistent good results.

"That's Wales for you, isn't it," Jenkins said. "We have some fantastic seasons and some fantastic results, but we let ourselves down as well.

"It would be nice if we could keep some consistency."

Jenkins described their 37-25 loss to the All Blacks in November as a turning point for the side. They kept the tourists honest for 65 minutes before conceding a couple of late tries and that instilled a lot of belief in the team.

"We don't fear anyone at this moment of time."

If there is one word that has followed this side around New Zealand it is "fearless", used most often to describe their core of young players.

Perhaps, given Wales' patchy recent history, it is more accurate to describe them as unburdened by failure.

It is a point defence coach Shaun Edwards touched on in a column he writes for a British newspaper.

"Young lads like Rhys Priestland, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Dan Lydiate, Toby Faletau and Sam Warburton, all 24 and under, are grounded in their own ways and at the moment, I don't think it would matter what opposition was put in front of them," he wrote.

The opposition will be France, a team that have had answers to Wales in the past few years, including a 28-9 mauling in this year's Six Nations.

"They're a fantastic side," said Jenkins. "They've beaten us the last three times we've played them. We're under no illusions as to what is ahead of us and how tough it's going to be on Saturday."

Jenkins said the set piece would be the key factor in the match.

"I think in reality it will come down to the kickers and the French boy has been kicking well so far. I think it will come down to kicking, they are two evenly matched sides."

He said the young Welsh players would handle the pressure.

"I think they are taking this in their stride. We have a fantastic chance on Saturday, as do France.

"We have a lot to play for and this is a great opportunity."

On the injury front, there are still concerns over the state of first five-eighths Rhys Priestland and Luke Charteris' shoulders.

"On Rhys, we are waiting to see what happens over the next couple of days and hopefully he will be fine. Luke is exactly the same."

They will monitor their progress over the next couple of days before making a decision on their participation on Saturday.

They will not want to miss it. Prop Gethin Jenkins said although his side had been insulated against the hype back home, talk was starting to emerge about supporters trying to arrange last-minute flights to Auckland.