Welsh star Dafydd Jenkins to miss start of new rugby season

Dafydd Jenkins, the lock for Exeter and Wales, is anticipated to miss the beginning of the upcoming rugby season following surgeries on his knee and shoulder.

Rob Baxter, Exeter's director of rugby, indicated on Friday that the timeline for the 21-year-old second row's return to play remains uncertain, confirming that he will not participate in the English Premiership opener against Leicester on September 21st.

Wales is set to commence their end-of-year international series with a match against Fiji in Cardiff on November 10th. Jenkins, who has participated in 19 Tests, served as captain for Wales during all five matches of last season's disappointing Six Nations, where the team finished last after a series of defeats.

He was also unavailable for the match against South Africa in June, with hooker Dewi Lake stepping in as captain for that game and the subsequent two-Test tour of Australia.

Baxter expressed, "It is tough and frustrating for Dafydd. He has undergone surgery for a knee injury sustained during the summer tour with Wales, in addition to dealing with a shoulder/rotator-cuff issue.

" He emphasized that both the club and the national team believe it is the appropriate time to address these injuries. Baxter further noted, "As a young player who has already accumulated significant experience with both the Chiefs and Wales, it is crucial for him to resolve these issues now, allowing for an extended rehabilitation period to ensure he returns fit and ready for what is expected to be a promising career.

" Additionally, Exeter will be without England center Henry Slade at the season's commencement, as the club announced two weeks ago that he had also undergone shoulder surgery.