The 76-times capped front row powerhouse missed his return-to-play date to continue his rehab but, despite the disappointment of an extended period on the side-lines, he insists he will be much better for it come RWC time.

"Coming back from injury is a frustrating time for any player and you have to tough it out mentally and keep telling yourself you will be back," said Jenkins.

"But, if there is ever a good time to make your comeback, it's probably now.

"The World Cup is just around the corner and in hindsight, although it was difficult being out, it was all part of the plan really, that I would time my return and be getting back into it now."

Jenkins is now on a mission to regain match fitness in order to impress the coaches enough to be selected in their 30-man RWC squad.

"I've done all the fitness work necessary and it will stand me in good stead, but now I have to get back in the side," said Jenkins.

"All the jerseys are up for grabs, which is going to make those games against England and Argentina all the more interesting.

"Obviously I'll be looking to get some game time and I just have to hope I do enough to impress the coaches if I get my chance, but the first priority now is to get back on the training camp next week in Poland."

Jenkins, alongside the rest of the extended 42-man training squad, has just returned from a 10 day fitness and skills camp in Spala, Poland.

The squad will return to the Olympic training venue, where players utilise Cryotherapy chambers which aid recovery and allow them to train twice as often in a single day, for another 10-day stint from 16 July.

But Jenkins knows proving his fitness is only half the battle in terms of his RWC ambitions.

"It's important for our final preparation, to get a place in that squad and to get a place on the plane, to do well in Poland," added Jenkins.

"We want to be at our fittest and most powerful, but we also know that unless we can play rugby as well it won't matter a jot.

"The camp has been tough mentally and physically, but the next challenge will then be to perform on the pitch.

"We will be strong and fit, but we need to convert that into performing in games.

"There is only so much you can learn about a rugby player from a fitness test and these games against England and Argentina will be the opportunity for the coaches to assess the players in a match.

"Those 'Tests' will be the acid tests. Hopefully, if I get my chance, it will go well and I can go to the World Cup, but I'm not taking anything for granted."

Back at the Blues Training Centre, Gethin's region also have some welcome news in Prop Department, with the addition of two new players initially as cover during Rugby World Cup 2011.

Tighthead prop Ryan Harford moves up to regional level from Pontypridd, while loosehead Nathan Trevett has come into the regional squad from the Cardiff club side.

Both players have been handed three month contracts as the Blues have Gethin Jenkins, John Yapp and Scott Andrews all away in Wales' preliminary 45-man World Cup squad and could all end up going to New Zealand.

Recognising the need for resources, the Blues have promoted these youngsters from within the region.
"We realised we could be without Gethin, John and Scott through the World Cup period", said Justin Burnell.

"Wales have got seven props in their initial squad and will potentially take five to New Zealand and if one of those gets injured, another flies out, so all three of our boys easily be involved.

"On top of that, Tao [Filise] may well be called up by Tonga, potentially impacting our front row resources even further."

"So we have decided to promote from within the region. Ryan is one of the best tightheads in the Premiership and has done a fantastic job for a very successful Pontypridd side in 2010/11.

"And Nathan is a very good loosehead who helped us out on a couple of occasions last season. We have given both of them three-month contracts until after the World Cup. They've got an opportunity now and I know they are really looking forward to it."

Harford, 28, and Trevett, 26, are both products of St Albans RFC in Cardiff, as is young Blues full-back Dan Fish.

The 19st 6lbs Harford, who hails from the Tremorfa district of the capital, joined the Pontypridd Academy in 2002 and was promoted to the Ponty senior squad the following year.

He's renowned as an effective tighthead scrummager who is also able to contribute in the loose as a carrier.

He was sidelined for a couple of months last autumn with a broken arm and wrist damage, but returned to help Ponty to Welsh Cup glory and top spot in the regular league campaign.

Trevett, who is 5ft 10s and 17st 9lbs, has played 77 matches for the Cardiff club side since making his debut for them in the 2003-04 season. He was capped by Wales at Under-19 level and appeared as a substitute last season in the league against Ulster and previous to that against Harlequins in the LV= Cup.

The Blues will play a pre-season games against Harford's former club Pontypridd at Sardis Road on 12th August and at home against Bath on Friday 19th August. Ticket details will be available next week for the Bath game, with free entry to the match for season ticket holders 2011/12.

Tickets to the Wales v England Rugby World Cup warm-up match at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, 13 August (kick off 2.30pm) are priced from £30 and tickets to the Wales v Argentina on Saturday, 20 August (kick of 2.30pm) are priced at £25 and are on a 'buy one get one free' promotion.

Fans can also purchase their tickets for the Millennium Stadium clashes offer online at www.wru.co.uk/tickets or by calling the ticket hotlines 08442 777 888