By Jon Doel

Copyright walesonline

Wales rugby legend Neil Jenkins has paid a touching tribute to Rhys Patchell, after the outside-half announced his retirement from the game at the age of 32. Patchell quit the sport on Monday , taking on a coaching role at the Dragons as he follows in mentor Jenkins’ footsteps. Jenkins, of course, has been Wales’ kicking coach for two decades and formed a close bond with the likes of Leigh Halfpenny, Dan Biggar and Patchell. And he posted a wonderful picture of himself with Patchell when he was just a young boy meeting his idol, saying: “Congratulations, mate, on a fantastic career! Good luck in your next chapter in the game and in life, son.” His own rugby future is currently shrouded in uncertainty after Warren Gatland’s departure during the Six Nations , with Jenkins replaced by Halfpenny on the summer tour of Australia. While Jenkins is still technically employed by the Welsh Rugby Union, it is far from certain he will be part of new head coach Steve Tandy’s backroom staff, with Wales expected to go in a different direction. He could remain in the union set-up, working with age-grade teams but nothing has been decided yet. WRU director of rugby Dave Reddin has indicated there could be a place for him somewhere in the organisation , saying: “Neil has been an outstanding player and coach for Wales over the years. I’m sure we’ll want to benefit from his experience moving forwards.” Jenkins previously showed his class when he was replaced by Halfpenny for the tour to Australia. In a heartfelt tribute to his student on the day the news was announced, he wrote online: “Supporting my boy, always! Good luck for the summer tour son, very proud of you.” In his own statement announcing the role, Halfpenny spoke of Jenkins’ huge influence on him. “Neil Jenkins has been a massive influence on me throughout my career,” he said. “He’s one of the best that there has ever been and I’ve been privileged to have learnt so much from him and I hope I can take that knowledge forward into this role.” Jenkins’ likely exit from the senior Wales set-up follows Rob Howley’s decision to walk away from the sport completely after he was let go following Gatland’s resignation. He had also remained employed by the WRU since interim coach Matt Sherratt’s decision to take him out of the senior set-up, but has now decided to move into a different career in the telecommunications sector. “After twenty incredible years in rugby coaching, it feels like the right time to move on to new pastures,” Howley wrote in a message online. “I’ve recently been given an exciting business opportunity with 5G Communications. “This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for me and my family. I hope to draw on the many experiences and lessons sport has given me over the last three decades. “Starting something new always brings its challenges – and I’ve been told this won’t be an easy ride! – but with the support of family and the connections I’ve built over the years, I’m confident it won’t be for lack of effort.”