Wales star to miss ALL of Autumn Nations Series as ‘horrible’ period takes fresh blow
Wales will be without captain Dafydd Jenkins for their entire Autumn Nations Series campaign as the Exeter forward recovers from knee and shoulder operations.
Jenkins was skipper during the Six Nations earlier this year and it was hoped he might recover in time for the end-of-year Tests, but that is now off the table.
Instead the 21-year-old second-row has targeted Exeter‘s Investec Champions Cup clash with Toulouse on December 15 for his potential return to the rugby field.
Blow for Wales
That means Jenkins will miss his country’s upcoming matches against Fiji, Australia and South Africa at the Principality Stadium in a setback to Warren Gatland’s side.
The double surgery has meant Jenkins has been absent for Exeter’s opening games of the Premiership season, with the 2025 Six Nations now set to be his next Test run-out.
“The game I am aiming for is Toulouse at home,” said the Wales star about his club comeback.
“So, unfortunately, I am missing the autumn. But I will definitely be up and running by the Six Nations.
“It has been horrible. It is probably the first time I have had such a long time off.
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“Especially seeing the boys’ results not going their way with Exeter, it is hard because you feel you can add something to that team and hopefully get us over the line. It is definitely harder mentally, more than physically.
“It is probably just getting my body right. It’s probably the first time I have actually felt fresh in four years.
“Making my (Exeter) debut when I was 18, and then my Wales debut at 19, it’s the first time I have had a bit of time to recover.
“The jump from Under-20s level to seniors is huge, and I probably underestimated that. I am not running yet, but when I get to that running block I am going to push myself and be hitting personal bests.”
Gatland’s team have not won an international since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with Jenkins also part of the mid-year 2-0 series loss to the Wallabies in Australia.
More hungry
Understandably he is eager to return to action and admits that the time away from the rugby field has given him extra hunger that should benefit club and country.
“It has given me time to reflect on things I have probably not achieved,” he added.
“I have never been more motivated to get back on the pitch and put it all right. The break has definitely made me more hungry than I’ve ever been.”