Exeter Chiefs and Wales lock Dafydd Jenkins will miss the beginning of the 2024/25 season, as the captain has recently undergone surgery on his knee and shoulder. The 21-year-old was withdrawn from Wales’ Summer fixtures against South Africa at Twickenham and also stayed home whilst Warren Gatland’s men went on a two-match tour of Australia
Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter gave an update on the injuries, and the possible recovery period for his first team skipper.
“It’s tough and frustrating for Dafydd but he’s had surgery on a knee issue sustained on summer tour with Wales, then he’s had a sore shoulder slash rotator cuff type of injury as well. Both the club and Wales feel now is the right time to have them both addressed.
“For me personally, I think it’s the right time for him. He’s a young man who has played a lot of rugby for both Chiefs and Wales, so it’s important that he gets them sorted properly now so that he has that extended period of rehab to get himself back fit and ready for what everyone knows is going to be a very good career.
“Obviously, time scales are a little bit fluid at the moment. We’ve got to see in the early initial period of his rehab where he’ll get to but one thing we know – from every other injury he’s had – is that Dafydd is an incredibly hard worker and rehabber, and if anybody can accelerate the process of getting back from these operations, then we’re sure Dafydd will.”