WALES great Gethin Jenkins confesses the incentive of winning his 100th cap played a major part in his decision to return home.

The loosehead prop has swapped the glamour of the south of France for the earthier charms of life at Cardiff Arms Park.

Jenkins, 32, is back at Cardiff Blues after a mixed year with high rolling Heineken Cup champions Toulon on the Côte d’Azur.

The three-times Grand Slam winner came on as a sub for Andrew Sheridan when his side lifted Europe’s premier club trophy in May after a narrow 16-15 win over Lee Byrne’s Clermont Auvergne in Dublin.

But victory came at a heavy cost, Jenkins suffering a recurrence of his long-standing calf problem which ultimately destroyed his British and Irish Lions tour of Australia this summer.

He had been expected to start the three-match Test series against the Wallabies but came home from Down Under without having played a game.

But there’s great news for Blues and Wales fans with the world class prop expecting to be fully fit for the start of the new season.

And the 98-cap Jenkins is desperate to be a member of Wales’ 100-cap club and join just three others in Stephen Jones (104) and Gareth Thomas and Martyn Williams, who both retired after reaching their century.

“That was one of the reasons for coming back,” Jenkins said.

“I wanted to get 100 caps and keep playing for my country. You never bank on your next cap, so I’ve got to work hard to get towards that goal. Hopefully I’ll get those extra two.”

Jenkins also revealed the agony of missing out on the Lions’ 2-1 series victory over Australia.

His calf injury ruled him out of the tourists’ opening two matches but he seemed to be back on track for the Queensland Reds clash only for lightning to strike again.

“I had trained for the full week and flown down to Brisbane on the Thursday, but then broke down in the team run,” he said.

“The worst moment was when the coach, physio and doctor came and knocked on my hotel door to say I was going home.

“That was probably one of the lows of my career having to go home with an injury.

“As soon as I pulled out in the team run, I sort of knew myself that was it.

“I wouldn’t have played for six weeks if I’d gone through the rehab again.”

And he candidly admits being an armchair fan for the Lions’ superb 41-16 series clinching third Test win over the Wallabies was a bittersweet experience.

“I watched it in my house with my dad,” he said.

“It always is a strange feeling. Most players will tell you they don’t like watching rugby if they are not playing. It was the same for me.

“You want the boys to win, but you want to be there as well.

“It was difficult.”