Baxter urges Wales not to rush Jenkins

By Alex Isaacs
12/4/22

Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, believes highly-rated lock Dafydd Jenkins needs more time to develop, amid talk that he could be named amongst Wales squad for their summer tour to South Africa.

Talk is rife about the 19-year-old after a breakthrough season at Sandy Park – and it appears Jenkins looks to be the hot topic on Pivac’s radar for his national squad, when they embark on a three-test series in July, against the Springboks.

Thrust into the Chiefs spotlight earlier this season when injuries and unavailability hampering Baxter’s plans, the Bridgend-born forward certainly took his chance to shine, delivering a series of notable performances.

His form came hot on the heels of Exeter University and Chiefs team-mate, Christ Tshiunza, who himself has made the most of his opportunities, even breaking into Pivac’s plans during the Autumn Internationals, where he gained caps against Fiji and Australia.

Whilst delighted with the progress shown by both Tshiunza and Jenkins, Baxter insisted that exposing the latter to international action in such an early phase of his career could well risk his future development.

“I’m not sure whether taking him to South Africa this summer will be the best scenario for him right now,” he said. “That’s nothing against Daf’s abilities, it’s just that the process of is it the right time? I wouldn’t want to try and limit Daf, but as you’ve seen with Christ you’ve got to be careful that they are physically ready first.”

Tshiunza was on Pivac’s selection list for their Six Nations campaign, however the 20-year-old back-rower suffered a hamstring injury during the pre-tournament training camp, forcing him out of the reckoning.

Tshiunza is well on the mend from that injury and could well travel to South Africa this summer, but Baxter is more cautious about the long-term plans for Jenkins.

“Your younger rangier guys do tend to be a little bit injury prone earlier when they’re young and there’s still a lot of growth happening and still a bit of coordination dropping into place,” said Baxter.

“Christ is a prime example; he pulled a hamstring running down the wing. Dafydd has now played a few games for us and picked up a bit of a niggly shoulder. These are things that will tend to happen more with these big guys than in any other position.”

The son of the former Neath back-rower, Hywel Jenkins, Dafydd made his Gallagher Premiership debut against Bristol Bears back in January and impressed instantly with a mature performance.

A month later, he made his European debut against Glasgow Warriors and soon after, he got called up to the Wales Under-20s as he continued his rise through the ranks.

Even though he may feel it is not the right time for Jenkins to take the next step, Baxter still has not doubt that his young lock will have a bright international future.

“For me Dafydd could easily develop into a player that will have some recognition with Wales down the line,” said Baxter. “People talk about super strengths in players, Dafydd’s super strength is he can get on with things. He can shift to the next thing very quickly. That’s very much what I like when I see him.”