Gethin Jenkins admits he was reinvigorated by his new role as an impact replacement during Wales’ 2016 RBS 6 Nations campaign.
Jenkins – who has 123 Wales caps to his name – saw Rob Evans promoted to start at loosehead prop for the Championship as Wales finished as runners-up.
88 of those 123 caps have come as a starter for Jenkins – whose debut for his country came all the way back in 2002.
But now aged 35, the Cardiff Blue and former British & Irish Lion relished his new role for Warren Gatland’s side.
“The Six Nations gave me a bit of a new lease of life,” he told Wales Online.
“Coming off the bench was a different experience for me.
“I played quite a bit, but I’ve looked after the body a little bit more. I’ve got next season now with the Blues, so I’m looking to look forward to that and hopefully carrying on at international level.”
Wales will tour New Zealand this summer for three Tests against the defending world champions.
And Jenkins concedes that this is likely to be the final tour of his international career and is desperate to go out on a high.
“If picked, that would be my last Wales tour, so I would definitely look forward to going out there,” he added.
“It’s a tough place to go. I’ve been there two or three times. But that’s what you want as a player, to be challenged at the top level by the top team over the last eight years.
“So if selected I’m looking forward to it. I am still enjoying it. The body is holding on.”
