Exeter lock Jenkins to miss Wales' autumn series

Dafydd Jenkins made his first Wales start in the Six Nations defeat against Scotland in February 2023

Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins has confirmed he will miss Wales' autumn internationals as he targets a return in December.

Jenkins, 21, missed the start of the 2024-25 Premiership season after having surgery on his knee and shoulder.

The Exeter captain picked up the knee problem while on international duty with Wales this summer in Australia and has been suffering from a sore shoulder rotator cuff injury.

Wales face Fiji, Australia and South Africa in Cardiff in November with head coach Warren Gatland due to name his squad next week.

"Unfortunately I'm missing the autumn but I'll definitely be up and running by the Six Nations," said Jenkins.

Jenkins hopes to return for Exeter's Investec Champions Cup game against Toulouse on 15 December.

Wales locks Adam Beard and Teddy Williams missed the summer tour because of injury and Will Rowlands was rested.

Jenkins and Exeter second row team-mate Christ Tshiunza started both Tests against Australia.

He said the enforced rest has made him determined to return.

"It's been horrible," added Jenkins.

"It's probably the first time I've had such a long time off. It's definitely harder mentally more than physically.

"But it's given me time to reflect on things I've probably not achieved.

"I've 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."

Jenkins made his Wales debut against Georgia in November 2022 and has played 19 internationals.

He became the country's second youngest captain when appointed by Gatland for the 2024 Six Nations.

Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake returned to lead Wales in the summer Test matches against South Africa and Australia, while fellow World Cup co-captain Jac Morgan is also now back fit.

"That was a huge honour for myself, it's something I'll never forget," said Jenkins.

"With Jac and Dewi being back, if my role is to follow them and do everything I can to help them, that's something I'm absolutely fine with.

"I think in that period, we definitely underachieved.

"I'm looking forward to being back, especially the Six Nations where I think we've got the opportunity to do something special."

'Getting my body right'

Dafydd Jenkins made his Exeter Chiefs debut in 2021

Jenkins has enjoyed a meteoric rise after becoming the youngest captain in Gallagher Premiership history in 2022, when he led Exeter to victory against London Irish aged just 19 years 342 days.

He is hoping this reset will prove beneficial for his career.

"This is probably just getting my body right," said Jenkins.

"It's probably the first time I've 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've had a bit of time to recover.

"The jump from under-20s level to seniors is huge and I probably underestimated that.

"It's given me time to gym a lot more than I would have and I'm looking to put a few extra kgs of muscle on.

"I am not running yet, but when I get to that block, I'm going to push myself and be hitting personal bests."

In Jenkins' absence, Exeter have lost their first four games of the season for the first time since being promoted to the Premiership in 2010.

It is also the first time the club has lost four successive league games for 10 years after Exeter blew a 20-point lead in the final 15 minutes to lose to Bristol Bears on Saturday.

Jenkins has been joined on the Exeter injury list by England centre Henry Slade and flanker Jacques Vermeulen who are also key players for the club.

"It is definitely not the start we wanted," added Jenkins.

"We've got a few players injured. Sladey and Jacques haven't been too good. Having them back in a few games' time will be huge for us.

"I think similar to the Wales results in the Six Nations and summer, just a few small changes and the results would have gone elsewhere.

"We're disappointed with how we're seeing out games. We've been in a few of them and that's the most disappointing aspect."