Wales Lock Dafydd Jenkins Out of Summer Nations Championship Tests
Wales lock Dafydd Jenkins has been ruled out of the upcoming summer Nations Championship Tests due to a shoulder injury sustained while playing for Exeter Chiefs. The 23-year-old will not be part of Steve Tandy's 33-man squad for the matches against Fiji, Argentina, and South Africa.
Jenkins, who started all five fixtures in the 2023 Six Nations, suffered the injury during Exeter's Premiership final defeat by Northampton Saints.
Squad Selection and Uncapped Players
Two uncapped players have been included in Tandy's reduced squad: Ospreys tight-head prop Ben Warren and Exeter back-row forward Kane James. The head coach initially named a 48-man summer squad, intending to trim it after the uncapped fixture against the Barbarians, which Wales won 33-31 at Allianz Stadium.
Wales will commence the tournament against Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday at 14:10 BST, followed by away matches against Argentina and South Africa.
Debutants and Notable Omissions
Cardiff loose-head prop Rhys Barratt and Dragons back-row forwards Harri Keddie and Ryan Woodman, who all made their international debuts at Twickenham against the Barbarians, are not included in the squad for the three Tests. Additionally, wings Gabriel Hamer-Webb and Tom Rogers, centres Bryn Bradley and Joe Roberts, fly-half Jarrod Evans, scrum-half Ellis Bevan, lock/flanker Freddie Thomas, and back-row forward Olly Cracknell have been omitted.
Leicester open-side flanker Tommy Reffell, previously overlooked for the autumn internationals and Six Nations, has been selected.
"We have selected a squad of 33 players for the Nations Championship to mirror what will be required for the world cup in 2027," said head coach Steve Tandy. "We are building a lot of competition among our group of players, which is what we want to have, and there were some tough calls to make. We have an exciting opportunity over the next three weeks in a brand-new competition and can't wait to get our campaign started against Fiji on Saturday."
Players Returning and Restrictions
Louis Rees-Zammit, Max Llewellyn, Tomos Williams, Rhys Carre, Nicky Smith, Kane James, and Tommy Reffell were unavailable for the Barbarians match due to their commitments with English clubs but will return for the Nations Championship fixtures.
Lock Position and Injury Impact
With Jenkins sidelined, Tandy's squad includes only three specialist locks: Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, and Adam Beard. Beard, who recently played for Montpellier in their Top 14 final loss to Toulouse, was included despite having lost his starting spot to Carter during the Six Nations. He came on in the final quarter of the Paris match.
"He has been with us for two campaigns, is battle-hardened and is really experienced," Tandy said of Beard.
Prior to the squad reduction, Wales had already lost centre Louie Hennessey, tight-head prop Keiron Assiratti, and hooker Liam Belcher to injury.
Additional Team News
Wales U20s have made changes following a bruising win, and there has been a delay in the Welsh Rugby Union's announcement regarding plans to reduce the team, expected in the coming weeks.
Wales' Nations Championship Squad
Backs: Murray, Rees-Zammit, Adams, Grady, Mee, Hawkins, James, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Costelow, Edwards, Hardy, Morgan-Williams, T Williams.
Forwards: Carre, N Smith, G Thomas, Elias, Lake (capt), Lloyd, D Lewis, S Wainwright, Warren, Beard, Carter, T Williams, Botham, K James, Mann, Morgan, Plumtree, Reffell, A Wainwright.
