Jenkins is primed for battle up front

With a Rugby World Cup semi final date with France only a matter of days away, Wales prop Gethin Jenkins is under no illusions as to how important a role he will play if Wales are to reach their first-ever final.

If selected Jenkins will line up against France's Nicolas Mas, a man who has induced cold sweats in opposition front rows since he made his debut for Les Bleus in 2003.

Mas showed he was back to his best form in France's quarter-final win over England by giving opposing prop Matt Stevens a torrid time.

"We all know that France has a strong scrum and that is something we will be working on throughout the week," Jenkins said.

"When you play French teams it is a given that the scrum is going to be strong. We play a lot of French (club) teams throughout the year and they all have a good scrum."

Jenkins himself feels he is back to his best after struggling with a calf injury before the start of the tournament.

Totally fit

He missed Wales' opening match against South Africa, returned as a substitute against Samoa and then started the matches against Namibia and Fiji.

Jenkins came through the quarter-final win with Ireland unscathed and revelled in the open, interlinked game plan that featured backs and forwards charging at the Irish defence.

"I think Saturday was the first time I felt totally fit," he said. "Against Fiji I felt terrible and was in trouble after about 20 minutes and just trying to be fit for the Ireland game.

"It was a bit touch and go and was always going to be a tough game, but we knew if we played well we could sneak a win."

The Cardiff Blues player is someone who likes to save his best displays for the big occasion and is looking forward to another one at Eden Park.

Biggest match

When Wales won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2005, it was Jenkins who settled Welsh nerves at the start of the decisive match with the opening try.

The match with France will be his 81st cap and he also holds five caps for the British and Irish Lions after playing three Tests against New Zealand in 2005 and twice against South Africa in 2009.

"I would say that this game is Wales' biggest to date. I think I would say the same about the one on Saturday just gone," Jenkins said.

"That was our biggest game as a squad and we are just looking to build on it going into next week and putting in a good performance against France.

"France are a good team. They have shown over the years that they are capable of beating New Zealand and they have beaten other top teams.

"We never have an easy game against France because they have such a big core of talent. Whatever side they put out they will be very capable and very well organised."