Dafydd Jenkins: Wales and Exeter lock to miss autumn campaign

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.”