In 2005 it was the good. Wales won their first Grand Slam in 27 years, playing some magnificently attractive rugby en route to clinching the title against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.

But last year was both the bad and the ugly. Wales imploded after suffering a catalogue of injuries and the upheaval of Mike Ruddocks sudden departure.

As defending champions they managed just a single victory and were held to an 18-18 draw by Italy, the Azzurris best ever away result in the Six Nations.

But Jenkins heads into this years tournament - his first as Wales head coach - determined to rekindle the spirit of 2005 and iron out those unattractive and infuriating inconsistencies.

The good, the bad and the ugly - that would be a good way to describe us in the Six Nations, he said.

I feel that on our day we can beat anyone in the world but my challenge as the new national coach is to grow a far more predictable consistency.

That is the challenge of the team. It is about getting to a high quality performance and keeping that in place week in and week out.

On our day we can play a style of rugby that can beat anyone in the world. We know that. It is about drawing that out on a more consistent basis.

But all that is dependent on one key factor - the availability of senior players. And in that department Jenkins faces a considerable headache just over a week before Wales face Ireland.

Injuries to Shane Williams and Mark Jones will force a reshuffle in the back three, which is likely to see Gavin Henson pressed into action at full-back.

But Jenkins also has a midfield dilemma. Tom Shanklin is a major doubt after pulling out of Cardiffs game this weekend with a recurrence of a thigh injury. He has not played since December 27.

Gareth Thomas could slot into the midfield as cover - but he has a disrepute charge hanging over him for an incident during the fiery Toulouse v Ulster European Cup game.