Jenkins named on bench for Wales

By Mark Stevens
15/11/22

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac says he's 'excited' to see what Dafydd Jenkins can bring after naming the Exeter Chiefs youngster in his match-day squad for Saturday's Autumn Test against Georgia.

The 19-year-old lock - who captained the Chiefs for the first time at the weekend in their Gallagher Premiership win over London Irish - was only called into the senior squad for the first time on Monday.

"Dafydd Jenkins is a young player that we’ve had an eye on for quite some time now," said Pivac. He’s done well with the U20s and is doing very well at Exeter Chiefs. Talking to Rob Baxter, he’s very happy with what Daf is doing.

"Daf captained that side last week so his leadership is valued and already in camp for a very short time he’s picked everything up very quickly.

"We’re excited to see him go. There’s not many players like him in Wales and he’s definitely a player for the future and one that we think this is the opportunity to have a look at him."

Jenkins is joined in the squad by Josh Macleod, who is line to become the 1,182nd Wales senior men’s international having been selected at No.8. Jac Morgan, who came on as a replacement in the 20-13 victory over Argentina, is named at blind-side flanker with captain Justin Tipuric completing the back-row.

Ben Carter makes his fourth start for Wales on Saturday, lining up in the second row alongside Adam Beard, while the front row is unchanged from last weekend.

Josh Adams returns to the Wales XV having missed the first two rounds this autumn through injury. He joins former Chief Alex Cuthbert on the wing, with Louis Rees-Zammit continuing at full-back.

Rhys Priestland starts his second match this November having been named fly-half with his Cardiff team-mate Tomos Williams again at scrum-half. After two appearances as a replacement this Autumn Nations Series, Owen Watkin comes into the starting line-up to partner George North in the centre.

Pivac aded: “Josh Macleod’s a player that’s been really unfortunate in the past. We’ve wanted to use him on a couple of occasions, so this is very much third time lucky for him. He covers the back row. We know a lot about him, I’ve coached him at the Scarlets. He brings a lot of energy, he’s very strong over the ball and in tandem with Jac Morgan hopefully that will be a strong part of our game on the weekend. We’re looking forward to seeing him go at this level and seeing the physicality that he will bring.”

“The spine of the team is there. It’s very much about the here and now, we’ve got a game to play against Georgia and we have to be successful. But there’s also an eye to the Australia match."

Looking ahead to the game itself, Pivac continued: "Georgia are a side that will be not too dissimilar to Argentina in terms of the forward play, they’re very strong up front.

“Traditionally they’ve been good in the set piece, good driving lineout and very physical. We need to back up the performance against Argentina, be a lot more clinical with the ball. We’ve challenged the boys again and I think a response will be what we’re looking for on the weekend.

“For us it’s about starting well – the last two matches we’ve gifted the opposition points early – so discipline early on is going to be important.”

WALES TEAM TO FACE GEORGIA

15. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 21 caps)
14. Alex Cuthbert (Ospreys – 53 caps)
13. George North (Ospreys – 107 caps)
12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 35 caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby 42 – caps)
10. Rhys Priestland (Cardiff Rugby – 54 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 38 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 15 caps)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets – 84 caps)
3. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 43 caps)
4. Ben Carter (Dragons – 7 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 39 caps)
6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 4 caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, capt – 87 caps)
8. Josh Macleod (Scarlets – uncapped)

16. Bradley Roberts (Dragons – 2 caps)
17. Rhodri Jones (Dragons – 22 caps)
18. Sam Wainwright (Saracens – 3 caps)
19. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – uncapped)
20. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 93 caps)
21. Dane Blacker (Scarlets – uncapped)
22. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 1 cap)
23. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets – 96 caps)