Jenkins was rejected when he applied for the job of coach to the Welsh national team in 2004, when he was seen as virtually the only serious candidate for the job. It was suggested that his insistence on bringing in his own backroom staff, who lacked the requisite experience and skill, cost him the job. Instead, the Welsh Rugby Union invited Mike Ruddock to apply for the post, even though he had not originally made himself available for the role. Ruddock subsequently coached the Welsh team to their first Grand Slam in 28 years.