Gethin Jenkins is hoping for a memorable few days as Cardiff Blues take on Gloucester in the EDF Energy Cup Final at Twickenham on Saturday, just three days before Ian McGeechan names his 2009 Lions squad to tour South Africa.
A Lions tourist in 2005, Jenkins started all three internationals against the All Blacks and is hoping for more of the same this time around but with one major change – a series victory rather than a 3-0 defeat.
"There’s only one game left before the squad is named and there will be a lot of relief or disappointment,” said Jenkins.
"The Lions is in the back of my mind and I’m feeling great at the moment. But last time we got smashed in New Zealand."
For today and tomorrow, Jenkins’ thoughts are primarily on the Anglo-Welsh encounter with Gloucester.
Having already beaten the Cherry and Whites twice in the Heineken Cup pool stages this season, the Blues go in search of their first piece of silverware since Welsh rugby introduced the regional system.
Man-of-the-match in the Blues’ hard-fought European quarter-final victory over French giants Toulouse last weekend, Jenkins admits that picking up a piece off silverware is of huge importance to Dai Young’s men.
"We’ve beaten Gloucester twice this season, but this is the one that really means so much to the squad,” added the 28-year-old.
"When I joined the Blues, I dreamed of games like this. To be in the EDF final and the top four in Europe speaks volumes of how far we’ve come.
"We have players like Nicky and Jamie Robinson and Jason Spice leaving us in the summer and it would be great to send them off with a final win.
"We want to do it for them and for the whole squad. It would be the region’s first trophy and that would mean a hell of a lot.”
