‘He’s a guy who will be a Lion’ – Surprise name touted for British and Irish Lions tour after injury return
Wales second-row Dafydd Jenkins against Reds.
Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter believes his captain Dafydd Jenkins could be a surprise name on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia later this year.
Jenkins only returned to full fitness in Exeter’s Champions Cup defeat to Toulouse last month, but has gone on to start in their three matches since.
The lock forward is also a front-runner to skipper Wales following the injury to current captain Dewi Lake.
‘He’s got plenty of time’
Baxter also detailed his strong belief that Jenkins will be a Lion, be it in 2025 or later in his career.
“In my opinion, he’s a guy who will be a Lion, he will be, it’s whether it’s now, whether it’s this tour, whether it’s another tour,” he told the BBC.
“He’s got plenty time, he could go on a Lions tour in three tours’ time and still be in his prime!”
Still only 22, Jenkins is right in the mix for a spot on the Lions tour this summer but faces strong competition. Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, Maro Itoje, George Martin and Ollie Chessum are just a few competing for that same spot, but Jenkins could be a shrewd addition to the squad should he be selected.
Dafydd Jenkins lauded following injury return
Speaking ahead of Exeter’s Champions Cup clash with Bordeaux this weekend, Baxter lauded his star forward’s return to fitness, after he missed the early stages due to double knee/shoulder surgery.
“He’s getting through an awful lot of hard work, Baxter said. “He just wants to add a bit more accuracy to it and making sure he makes good decisions.”
“His attitude to playing, to training and what he expects from those around him is absolutely fantastic. I would fully expect him to have a very good Six Nations.
Baxter also feels Jenkins is a player he can build a ‘very good team around’ for the future: “He’s one of the guys in our team that my ambition is to build a very good team around.”
Jenkins made his Chiefs debut during the 2021/22 season and has quickly established himself as a key figure at Sandy Park. To date, the Bridgend native has made 46 appearances for the Devonians and has also been named club captain alongside Jack Yeandle.
The lock’s form has also seen him drafted into Wales’ Test squad and remains a key part of Warren Gatland’s squad. At the time of writing, he has amassed 19 caps, and also led his country during the 2024 Six Nations.
