Wales rugby’s record caps holder Gethin Jenkins is set to retire from the game this weekend after his club Cardiff Blues' Pro14 clash with Zebre.

The four-time Six Nations Championship winner has been battling a chronic knee injury which has limited him to two appearances for Cardiff A in the Celtic Cup this season.

Medical opinion states that his knee is no longer healthy enough to continue playing on a regular basis so Jenkins has decided to hang up his boots.

"I have been working hard rehabbing over the last three months and I was confident I was going to be back playing so it's disappointing to be retiring," said the 37-year-old.

"It's obviously a big decision but I've had a good innings, it's time to finish and I'm looking forward to one more run out on the weekend and hopefully finishing on a high.

"The pain I have been experiencing from rugby, in my daily life, simply isn't tolerable but it's important to me that after all the work I have put in, I run out with my team one last time and finish on my own terms.

The loosehead prop played a pivotal part in four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams, and in his one season away from Cardiff Arms Park, won the Heineken Cup with Toulon.

Jenkins is second on the Blues' all time appearance list, trailing only Taufa'ao Filise, with 194 matches, he won 129 Wales caps and five for the British and Irish Lions during two of his three tours. 

"I'm very proud of everything I have achieved in my career, particularly captaining the Blues in the previous three seasons. None of it would have been possible without my parents and the 2005 Grand Slam always stands out as mum and dad were both there supporting me," he said.