Cardiff Blues coach Danny Wilson paid tribute to Gethin Jenkins as his Wales prop helped inspire a 37-8 thrashing of Zebre at the Arms Park on Saturday night.

It was skipper Jenkins’ first game since injuring his knee in the Blues’ Judgement Day win over the Ospreys at the Principality Stadium on April 15.

The Lions prop – who will turn 37 this month – played for 56 minutes and looked as though he had never been away.

Wilson said: “Hats off to Gethin Jenkins, considering he hasn’t played since April, he was outstanding. Olly Robinson is another one to mention.

“”A few senior players who were coming back that we’ve been waiting for a long time made a massive difference in terms of leadership and ruthlessness.

“Overall, it was a pleasing performance but now it’s all eyes to the next one.

“We got what we wanted to get out of it – it was a bonus point win, which is important for the league, against a side I was really concerned about.

“I was pleased with our professionalism, our ruthlessness and I think we respected them as well with the game plan.

“They’ve been playing some good rugby and had some good results.

“Slowly but surely what we’re seeing now is a side that can play, offload, take gambles and look to move the ball around a little bit.

“At times, their skill let them down a bit tonight, but it certainly wasn’t for a lack of intent.”