Six Nations: Warren Gatland compares new Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins to Alun Wyn Jones
- Published
Dafydd Jenkins has been compared to Alun Wyn Jones, who won 158 Wales caps
New Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins has been tipped to lead his country with the same grit and attitude as Alun Wyn Jones.
As endorsements go, this one from head coach Warren Gatland it is about as big as they come.
Jenkins, 21, is set to become Wales' second-youngest captain when this year's Six Nations begins.
And Gatland expects the Exeter Chiefs lock to emerge "in the mould" of the world's record cap holder.
"We've got a young captain who will be an outstanding professional," Gatland said at the Six Nations launch in Dublin.
"I expect to see him in the mould of Alun Wyn Jones. He doesn't say a lot, but he leads by example.
"He's last out of the gym, does his analysis and he's got an edge to him. I don't mind that."
Jenkins, capped 12 times, has already gone further than his father Hywel, a back-row forward for Swansea and Neath.
He never won a cap, but did play for Wales in an uncapped game against the United States.
The younger Jenkins became the youngest captain in the history of the Gallagher Premiership in 2022, aged 19 years 342 days.
Now with World Cup co-captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake both injured, he is poised to become the youngest Wales captain since Gareth Edwards in 1968 and in line to be part of Gatland's long-term plans.
"You're looking for someone who doesn't back down from anyone, someone who fronts up and gets excited by challenges," Gatland added.
"The best player I coached in that [sense] was Lawrence Dallaglio. The bigger the occasion, the more he excited he got. He absolutely loved it - he'd get pumped up for a challenge.
"I think Daf will be like that going forward. Whatever's he's up against, he's not going to fear anything."
Jenkins will compete with Will Rowlands and Adam Beard for the second-row spots but Wales have back-row issues.
Ruddock on Wales' radar
Rhys Ruddock was born in Dublin but raised in Swansea
With Morgan, Taulupe Faletau, Taine Plumtree, Christ Tshiunza and Josh Macleod all unavailable, Gatland did not rule out a shock call-up for ex-Ireland international Rhys Ruddock.
The 33-year-old Leinster back-row, the son of former Wales head coach Mike Ruddock, won the last of his 27 caps back in 2021 and could switch allegiance.
"We understand that he is available at some stage during the tournament," said Gatland.
"He made his decision to go down the Irish route and you've got to respect that. If he was five or six years younger, it might be a different story.
"We know what a quality player he is but we've got to look at if it fits a purpose for us right now. It might fill a hole for a short period if we do pick up some injuries."
BEING LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT: Unfiltered access to the man himself
LEGENDS OF WELSH SPORT: Some of the greatest and most inspiring stories in Welsh sport
