Cardiff man Jenkins will lead out Wales though he says the team won't lack for experience in the important stages of tomorrow night's game.
"It's a huge honour to lead your country," he said.
"It's added pressure but at the end of the day you go out there to play your own game and try and lead by example.
"There are a couple of boys who will help me out with the talking and some left from the World Cup so hopefully we can draw on that experience."
Wales go into the game knowing a fast start is vital if they are to have a hope of emulating a hugely successful last 12 months.
Jenkins partners Sion Bennett and Daniel Thomas in the back row against Mike Ruddock's Ireland while the likes of Cory Allen, Dion Jones and Ashley Evans will be a threat out wide.
Sam Davies from the Ospreys will control things from outside half.
"We're looking for a good performance on Friday and hopefully this result will take us forward into the championship," Jenkins added.
"The experience we gained from last year was invaluable and we can use it to help us this year.
"We've put a couple of basic structures in place and we're going out there to play rugby. We're going to keep it pretty simple to start with and hopefully we'll grind them down and show people what we can do."
Wales were edged out 11-6 in the clash between the two sides last year and Jenkins knows his side will have to gain parity up front if they are to reverse that result.
"Last year Ireland had a big pack but also a very sharp back line which cut our defence a few times," he said.
"Hopefully we'll muscle them out up front to try and nullify their pack and then our backs can show what they can do.
"A lot has been made about the set piece recently but it is true.
"Whoever wins the scrum battle gains the ascendency and we've done a lot of work on that."
