Jenkins toured New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions as part of Clive Woodward's coaching team in 2005. In April 2006 Jenkins was named as the new Welsh national coach, under a two-year contract to succeed Mike Ruddock, who had resigned during the 2006 Six Nations Championship. His first duty was a development tour of Argentina, a young and inexperienced Wales side losing the series 2–0. His first home test match saw a credible 29–29 draw with Australia, but lacklustre performances against the Pacific Islanders, Canada and the All Blacks saw confidence dip and in the 2007 Six Nations Championship Wales slipped to 4 defeats including a 23–20 reversal against Italy. Jenkins finally got a victory over England on the final day of the championship by 27–18, denying England the championship, whilst simultaneously avoiding the dreaded wooden spoon; which went to Scotland.