Ernie Jenkins
Welsh rugby union and rugby league footballer
About Ernie Jenkins
Lived 1880 – 1958 (aged 77). Ernie Jenkins was a British rugby league player and rugby union player.
Ernest Jenkins (20 September 1880 – 18 July 1958) was a Welsh international dual-code international rugby player. He played club rugby union predominantly for Newport, and later switched codes by joining rugby league team Rochdale Hornets. While playing for Newport, Jenkins faced the three major Southern Hemisphere teams, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
International career Jenkins made his début for Wales against Scotland at the Cardiff Arms Park on 5 February 1910 as part of the Five Nations Championship. It was a one-sided affair with Wales scoring 4 tries without reply, including one from fellow new cap Billy Spiller. Jenkins was reselected for the next match in the tournament, this time against Ireland. Wales won again, this time scoring five tries, the highest number scored by Wales in Ireland. With two wins out of two games, Jenkins should have been part of future Welsh teams, but turned professional in September 1910, joining rugby league team Rochdale Hornets, making him ineligible to play union in future.
His first game for the Hornets took place on 17 September 1910, and on 10 December he was selected for his first rugby league international when he was chosen to represent Wales against England at Coventry. He played a total of four league international between 1910 and 1912, three against England and a single encounter against Australia at Ebbw Vale.
County Cup Final appearances Ernie Jenkins played as a forward in Rochdale Hornets' 12–5 victory over Oldham in the 1911–12 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1911–12 season at Wheater's Field, Broughton, Salford on Saturday 2 December 1911, in front of a crowd of 20,000.
International games played Wales (rugby union) 1910 1910
Wales (rugby league) 1910, 1911, 1912 1911
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Important facts
People in Ernie Jenkins's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Ernie Jenkins's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ernie Jenkins?
Welsh rugby union and rugby league footballer (1880-1958)
When was Ernie Jenkins born?
Ernie Jenkins was born on 20 September 1880 in Upper Cwmbran.
When did Ernie Jenkins die?
Ernie Jenkins died on 18 July 1958 in Newport.
What was Ernie Jenkins's occupation?
Ernie Jenkins was a rugby league player and rugby union player.
What nationality was Ernie Jenkins?
Ernie Jenkins was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ernie Jenkins. https://biography.guide/ernie-jenkins/
MLA: "Ernie Jenkins." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ernie-jenkins/.
Chicago: "Ernie Jenkins." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ernie-jenkins/.
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