Wales kicking coach Jenkins guiding new generation

Dan Biggar (L) and Leigh Halfpenny both played in three World Cups

Neil Jenkins is preparing Wales' new kicking generation following the international retirements of Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny.

"It's different without them, there's no doubting that," said Jenkins.

It leaves the Wales kicking coach working with Sam Costelow, Ioan Lloyd and Cai Evans.

Halfpenny and Biggar are both international centurions and scored 1,422 Wales points between them, while Jenkins is still his country's record points scorer with 1,049.

"I've known a long time the likes of Biggs (Dan Biggar) and Halfers (Leigh Halfpenny), these type of guys have been involved with myself especially with kicking," said Jenkins.

"These are people I've been around for a long time since they were in the academy at 15 or 16.

"I've spent a lot of time with them throughout their careers. To when they first started in the academy to Test football to representing the Lions, so I've been lucky in that regard."

Jenkins has to develop a new first-choice international goal-kicker for their tournament opener against Scotland on 3 February in Cardiff.

Wales are looking for a new fly-half and full-back with Gareth Anscombe injured and Liam Williams unavailable because of his Japan club commitments and Louis Rees-Zammit's switch to the 15 jersey shelved following his decision to try to break into the NFL.

Costelow, Lloyd and Evans are the three options at 10, while wing Josh Adams, Evans and Lloyd have been looked at 15 in training, with uncapped Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett recovering from a jaw injury.

Selecting Adams out of position would allow Warren Gatland to pick Mason Grady and Rio Dyer as wings.

Whatever the decision, Jenkins expects the new generation to thrive.

"There's a lot of new young talent," said Jenkins.

"Sam has been involved with us through the World Cup and some campaigns before. He has already shown he's more than capable of playing at this level and is working extremely hard.

"Ioan Lloyd is showing some great form, I know how good a player he is having played Test level before.

"It was a few years ago, but he's grown no end since then... with his time at Bristol and now Scarlets.

"He can play 10 and 15. He's a talented player. he's been in with us before and obviously we have Cai (Evans) as well.

"They are three very good players who are working hard to prove themselves at this level."