Exeter's Jenkins to Miss Start of Premiership Season After Surgery

Wales lock and Exeter Chiefs captain Dafydd Jenkins is set to miss the beginning of the 2024-25 Premiership season due to knee and shoulder surgeries, BBC reported. The 21-year-old incurred the injuries while on international duty with Wales in Australia this summer. Notably, he’s been grappling with a sore shoulder rotator cuff injury in addition to the knee issue.

Exeter's director of rugby, Rob Baxter, mentioned that Jenkins' return date remains "a little bit fluid" and will be determined after assessing his initial rehab period. Baxter noted, "Both the club and Wales feel now is the right time to have them both addressed."

Jenkins played 20 games for Exeter last season and featured in seven matches for Wales this year, accumulating a total of 19 Tests. His significant participation includes captaining Wales through all five games of last season's Six Nations campaign, despite the team finishing bottom.

Additionally, Jenkins was absent from the June game against South Africa, with Dewi Lake stepping in as captain. Baxter stressed the importance of resolving Jenkins' injuries now for an extended period of rehabilitation to ensure he is fit for what is anticipated to be a stellar career.

Exeter Chiefs will also start the new season without England center Henry Slade, who recently underwent shoulder surgery. Exeter kicks off their Premiership campaign at home against the Leicester Tigers on Saturday, September 21.

Wales will begin their end-of-year international fixtures by hosting Fiji in Cardiff on November 10.

By addressing these injuries now, both Jenkins and Slade have the opportunity for necessary rehab to return stronger, beginning preparations for a competitive and physically demanding season ahead.

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